It’s easy to remember the little ones during the holiday season, but the seniors in our community need just as much love.
Between now and Dec. 20, community members can fulfill the wish list of a local senior in Sunnyvale and Cupertino through the Be a Santa to a Senior program. Home Instead expects to provide gifts to approximately 300 local seniors this holiday season.
Be a Santa to a Senior supports older adults who may be overlooked, isolated or alone during the holiday season. This is the 15th year for the local program that gives back to older adults and reminds them they are cherished by our community. The gifts collected, which are often necessity items such as toiletries, clothing and blankets, make a big impact and help area seniors combat the holiday blues.
“We’ve all experienced feelings of loneliness during the pandemic, and seniors are at a particularly high risk for isolation,” said Michelle Rogers of Home Instead. “Be a Santa to a Senior shows the older adults in our community that they are valued and thought of during the holidays.”
With the continued safety of seniors, donors and volunteers top of mind, the community can participate in this year’s program virtually. For the second year in a row, Home Instead teamed up with Amazon Business to create a safe, contactless gift-giving experience for volunteers and recipients, while providing the same holiday cheer to local seniors.
Members of the community can visit BeASantaToASenior.com and enter their zip code to view Wish Lists for local seniors through Dec. 20. A personalized greeting can be included with the gift which will safely be delivered to the senior.
“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 Rogers. “Finding ways to care and support another is important now more than ever and we are grateful for the community’s involvement every year.”
Since the program’s inception 18 years ago, Be a Santa to a Senior has helped provide more than 2 million gifts to over 750,000 seniors in North America.