Home Instead is making sure lonely or isolated senior citizens aren’t forgotten this Christmas. Through their “Be a Santa to a Senior” program that allows community members to donate needed items, the organization provided gifts and Christmas cheer to 956 area seniors Tuesday.
The local Home Instead office has participated in the program for about 12 years, and Operations Director Tricia Carroll has been involved for the past 9. Carroll was humbled and excited that they reached their goal of helping 900 seniors in Daviess and surrounding counties.
“It’s pretty overwhelming, but all the hard work really pays off,” she said. “I just get really emotional this time of year because this is what I live for. It’s all about giving to our seniors that need it. Some of our seniors may not see anybody at Christmas, or they may not have enough money to get the basics they need.”
The Home Instead office at 2065 East Parrish Avenue Suite 300 serves Daviess, Henderson, Hancock, Ohio, McLean, and Union counties. Their office was full of gifts and volunteers Tuesday morning as they wrapped all the donations and began delivery.
The program begins with Home Instead filling out a wish list, allowing each senior (or someone filling out a card for a senior they know needs help) to select three items. Those lists are then placed on “gift trees” at participating locations where a community member can pick one or more list, which does not include the seniors’ names. Items purchased are then dropped off at Home Instead, where employees and volunteers place everything in a Christmas gift bag for delivery.
Carroll said they provide the “simple things that we take for granted.” Donations include books, games, toiletry items, clothing, towels, cleaning supplies, food, and more.
The program provides for seniors in all living situations including nursing homes, assisted living, low-income housing, or anywhere else in the community.
Carroll was grateful for the help, saying not many programs are geared toward focusing on seniors in need around the holidays.
“I can’t express how important this program is,” she said. “We really need more community support, because there are (other events geared toward children or families) … but a lot of people forget about our seniors who need help.”
