Seniors need Santas

While the holiday season is one of celebration, congregation and giving, too many senior citizens go without these vital human experiences each year. The pandemic may have created more barriers to congregating, but nationwide projects like Be a Santa to a Senior are here to ensure that some of our most overlooked citizens get their fair share of cheer this year.

The national “Be a Santa to a Senior” campaign is another easy and worthwhile way to spread joy during the holiday season. The Be a Santa to a Senior campaign cannot be successful without generous Southeast Texans that rise to the occasion as volunteers and donors. So, those in the giving mood can look for Home Instead ornaments adorning Christmas trees in shops and businesses throughout the Golden Triangle, including: M&D Supply Ace Hardware, CVS, Walgreens, King Pharmacy and Market Basket locations.

Each tree will be decorated with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and gift suggestions. Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it unwrapped to the store with the ornament attached. Local Home Instead offices also teamed up with Amazon Business to create an online gift-giving experience. Once you’ve selected a gift from a senior’s wish list, Amazon Business will mail the present on your behalf. Visit
beasantatoasenior.com to donate online.

“We need the community’s help more than ever to make sure seniors feel connected this year,” said Charlie Holder, owner of the Beaumont Home Instead office. “This year we knew we had to find a way to spread holiday cheer to seniors, and we are grateful for the community’s participation.”

During the height of the pandemic, program coordinators evaluated the important holiday program and made adjustments with the safety of donors, seniors and volunteers in mind. With local seniors more isolated than ever because of concerns due to the coronavirus, this year, once again, extra precautions will be taken so gifts can be safely collected and delivered to seniors in need.

“The Be a Santa to a Senior program brings so much joy to seniors in our community,” said Holder. “Seniors are especially at risk for the feelings of isolation that we’ve all felt at some point during the pandemic, and a simple gift can show them that they have been thought of, which is more important this year than ever.”

To spread the word, and hopefully holiday cheer, Home Instead partners with Nutrition and Services for Seniors, Orange County Meals on Wheels, CVS, Walgreens, King Pharmacy, Ace Hardware, Market Basket and several other pharmacies, restaurants and businesses in the area.

Since the program’s inception in 2003, Be a Santa to a Senior has facilitated 2 million gifts given, 750,000 holidays brightened, thanks to approximately 65,000 volunteers, according to Home Instead data.

While preparing to gather in merriment with family members this holiday season, spare a thought for the seniors of Southeast Texas who can’t see their loved ones during this time of celebration, and “Be a Santa to a Senior” by donating this Christmas. Donate items by Dec. 22 for Dec. 23 delivery.