For the fifth year, Santa is planning on spreading a little Christmas cheer among the senior population of Chatham-Kent.
Powered by a local group of volunteers, Santa for Seniors is geared to brighten up the holidays for seniors who may be spending the holidays lonely and isolated.
Seniors who live in Retirement and Nursing homes, as well as those who live independently, could feel such isolation.
However, the Santa for Seniors team is hoping to connect with every senior in Chatham-Kent in a unique way.
“These past few years have been particularly challenging for so many people in our community, and there have been lots of great ways to help with these challenges. Isolation is another challenge, especially for seniors, and we hope to brighten their day with some gifts and cards from every corner of Chatham-Kent,” co-organizer Dava Robichaud said in a media release.
Robichaud is encouraging individuals and families to write Holiday cards and pack gifts once again for seniors before all cards and gifts are delivered the week before Christmas.
“In 2020, the community came together to provide over 5,800 greeting cards and a little over 800 gifts for local seniors. The following three years, we collected over 4,225 gifts, and over 13,560 greeting cards,” co-organizer Emmalee Longbottom said. “With 2,000 seniors living in retirement and nursing homes, and hundreds more living on their own, we’d like each senior to get a greeting card and gift again this year.”
Some items that can go in boxes include toiletries, cookies, tea, puzzles, hats, gloves, stationery, and other small gifts. If you don’t have an empty box, you can pick one up at the TekSavvy Security Kiosk at 800 Richmond St. in Chatham, and Community Living Wallaceburg at 1100 Dufferin Ave. in Wallaceburg. “Boxes can be returned unwrapped, and our team of volunteer elves will take care of the rest,” Longbottom said.
Organizers and volunteers will be sanitizing all gifts before boxes are wrapped. Boxes and cards will be safely distributed to all retirement and nursing homes, and cards will be included in all Meals on Wheels deliveries in Chatham-Kent.
Boxes and cards can be returned to TekSavvy and/or Wallaceburg Community Living and will be accepted until Dec. 13. Gifts and cards will be delivered the week of Dec. 17.
For more information, email santaforseniors@teksavvy.ca.
