CONTRIBUTED BY HOME INSTEAD
LEE COUNTY — As we enter the season of giving, Home Instead is calling on the community to participate in its Be a Santa to a Senior program, which helps brighten the holidays for older adults who may be feeling alone or might otherwise go without.
“A simple, thoughtful gift can bring immense happiness to an older adult who may not have family around to celebrate with,” said Rachel Durko, owner of the Home Instead office in Opelika. “Be a Santa to a Senior is about more than presents — it’s about showing care, love and letting these individuals know they are not forgotten. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the smile on a senior’s face when they open their gift and feel the love behind it.”
Last year, more than 300 older adults received gifts thanks to supporters, and this year, the program aims to collect over 350 gifts. Home Instead has partnered with Lee County Sheriff’s Department to help with gift collection and distribution.
How to Get Involved:
Participate by visiting a Be a Santa to a Senior tree, each of which features ornaments with the name and gift wish of an older adult in need. Select an ornament, purchase the desired gift and return it (wrapped or unwrapped or in a gift bag) with the ornament attached. Ornaments are available now through Dec. 2, and gifts will be delivered to seniors in time for the holidays.
Be a Santa to a Senior® trees can be found at the following locations:
Lee County Sheriff’s Department
The Phoenix at Opelika
Opelika Public Library
Adam’s Pharmacy
Opelika SportsPlex
Gifts can also be purchased online through the “virtual tree,” which features the most requested items. Simply use the QR code below to purchase gifts from this list. Each item purchased will go directly to Home Instead to be included in a senior’s gift bag. This is an easy and simple way to give the gift of joy this season!
Gift-wrapping party
Another way to get involved is to join the gift-wrapping party on Thursday, Dec. 5. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help wrap gifts for the seniors is welcome to drop in the Opelika Home Instead office anytime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
About Be a Santa to a Senior
Since its inception in 2003, Be a Santa to a Senior® has mobilized over 65,000 volunteers, provided approximately 2.5 million gifts, and made the holidays brighter for more than 750,000 deserving older adults nationwide. We are here to keep that tradition alive in Lee County and the surrounding counties. For more information on how to get involved, join our Be a Santa to a Senior group on Facebook (www.facebook.com/share/g/15hwGM5ywJ. To learn more about how Home Instead serves Lee County and surrounding counties visit www.homeinstead.com/location/657.
