A London home care provider is once again encouraging residents to bring some Christmas cheer to local seniors who may feel isolated this holiday season.
Home Instead in London is launching its longtime Be a Santa to a Senior program.
The organization will be collecting gifts to give to local seniors that may be isolated or alone during the holiday season. Gifts that are collected are generally necessity items such as toiletries, clothing and blankets.
London Home Instead Officer Owner Victoria Chalmers said the donations make a big impact and help London seniors fight the holiday blues.
“We’ve all experienced feelings of loneliness during the pandemic, and seniors are at a particularly high risk for isolation,” said Chalmers. "Be a Santa to a Senior shows the older adults in our community that they are valued and thought of during the holidays.”
This is the 12th year that the initiative will be held in the London area. Home Instead will be running this year's program in a new online format and plan to provide gifts to around 150 to 200 seniors in the area.
Members of the community who want to get involved can register by emailing beasantatoaseniorlondon@gmail.com. Donors will receive an email with further instructions on how to fulfill a gift request.
Anyone who is registered to donate will be invited to a contactless gift drop-off on December 8 between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. at London Home Instead on Highbury Avenue North. All the gifts will then be delivered to the seniors by program volunteers.
“A small act of kindness can make a big difference and a heartfelt gift brightens the lives of older adults who may feel alone during the season,” said Chalmers. “Finding ways to care and support one another is important now more than ever and we are grateful for the community’s involvement every year.”
