‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ proves to be cooperative effort
Area retailers, high schools and skilled nursing facilities partnered with Home Instead Senior Care, Elk Grove Village, a local senior care service provider, to make sure that isolated seniors received gifts and companionship through the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program.
Home Instead Senior Care, a provider of nonmedical home care and companionship for older adults, worked with retailers such as Curves–Arlington Heights, Curves–Elk Grove Village and American Chartered Bank to provide gifts and holiday cheer to residents of long-term care facilities such as Manor Care Elk Grove Village, Manor Care Rolling Meadows, Arden Courts and Clare Oaks .
“‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ is a great way to make sure older adults in our community have a special gift and a happy holiday season when many are forgotten,” said Kelly Hutchison, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Elk Grove Village.
“The holidays are often a time for children, but seniors — especially those who are isolated and lonely — need to be remembered as well. ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ is designed to help spread cheer and provide some terrific social interaction for older adults, who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.”
“Be a Santa to a Senior” recently culminated with visits to four long-term care facilities. More than 225 gifts were distributed to seniors.
Early in November, area retailers placed gift trees in their facilities. Ornaments with names and personal gift suggestions were placed on the trees.
Shoppers then purchased a gift item, which was collected by Home Instead and wrapped by National Honor Society students from Elk Grove High School and Rolling Meadows High School. The students also designed handmade greeting cards for each gift.
“‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ is a way to show our gratitude to those older adults who have contributed so much to our community during their lives,” Hutchison said. “We hope the gifts helped lift their spirits a little.”
For more information about the program, visit beasantatoasenior.com.
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