'Be A Santa' Program Spreads Cheer To Senior Citizens
âBe A Santaâ Program
Spreads Cheer To Senior Citizens
By Nancy K. Crevier
Forty-four Newtown senior citizens were surprised by an early visit of holiday cheer Monday, December 11, and Tuesday, December 12, when volunteers for Home Instead Senior Care (HISC) appeared on their doorsteps laden with gifts donated through the Be A Santa To A Senior program.
âThere are different levels of loneliness,â said Senior Center Director Marilyn Place, âand I see a lot of that here at the center. Itâs the season of sharing, and that is where this program comes in.â
A tree decorated with ornaments and gift suggestion tags was placed at the Peopleâs Bank on Queen Street in November and local residents were asked to buy a gift for the designated senior and return it to the bank no later than Friday, December 8. HISC volunteers collected the gifts and brought them to the Newtown Senior Center where members of TRIAD, the police department, Peopleâs Bank, and the Senior Center, as well as HISC volunteers, gathered Monday morning, December 11, to wrap and deliver the presents. Gift-wrap, ribbons, bows, and tape flew from one table to another, with the workers stopping only briefly to enjoy the pastries provided by Andreaâs Bake Shop and the Senior Center. Before long, a pile of brightly wrapped presents was heaped on the table, ready for delivery.
Recipients of the gifts were not aware that they had been selected, and Ms Place said that the mystery was part of the joy of the giving experience. Seniors were chosen based on criteria that included more than just financial need, she said. âFor this, it doesnât matter what walk of life you come from. There are many deserving people.â
Lisa Kelleher of HISC added, âMany seniors do not get out much. To have someone come and knock on [a seniorâs] door unexpectedly is really special.â
Be A Santa To A Senior, a national program in its third year, was organized locally by the Home Instead Senior Care offices in Trumbull and Newtown. More than 350 gifts to were distributed to seniors in Trumbull, Monroe, and Newtown.