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| Time is running out to participate in the 'Senior Santa Program' administered by Home Instead of Gorham. The deadline is Dec. 6 to choose ornaments and drop-off gifts for seniors at Chutes Restaurant or the Blue Seal Feed Store in Windham. The gifts will be delivered later this month in Windham and Raymond. COURTESY PHOTO |
The good thing about Santa Claus is that no matter what age
you are, he can make Christmas wishes become a reality. And once again this
year, Santa’s helpers at Home Instead of Gorham are preparing to bring smiles
and a dash of Christmas cheer to senior residents of Windham and Raymond.
Through the generous support of the community, local businesses and volunteers, Home Instead’s “Senior Santa Program” has organized “Be A Santa To A Senior” Christmas trees at participating locations which runs through Monday, Dec. 6. The special trees are decorated with ornaments which are handmade by local Girl Scouts and feature seniors’ first names and gift suggestions and requests.
Participants select an ornament to keep, then they purchase the requested presents and return them unwrapped in a holiday gift bag to the tree’s location with the ornament tag attached. Local “Be A Santa To A Senior” tree locations include Chute’s Restaurant, 686 Roosevelt Trail in Windham and at Blue Seal Feeds, 43 Main St. in South Windham.
For those who cannot find an ornament, donated items can
also be dropped off at the tree locations and program
organizers say that some gifts are always needed by local seniors. Those items
include knitted or crochet hat and scarves; plush throws; body cream for dry or
sensitive skin; men’s and women’s hats and gloves; snacks both sugar and sugar-free;
calendars; puzzle books; stationary; stamps; grocery gift certificates; and
tissue paper and large sturdy Christmas bags.
Kathy Damon, a home care consultant for Home Instead, said
that the “Senior Santa Program” served 575 seniors in Cumberland County a year
ago and works with many different nonprofits and agencies serving seniors to
develop a list of gifts to be given to those in need.
Damon said that here in Windham, volunteers will pair up with Windham
Police Department officers to deliver the gifts in the coming weeks.
“For some seniors receiving the gifts they have very modest
requests, and the best part of doing this comes when the gifts are delivered to
them,” Damon said. “They are just so appreciative and grateful.”
According to Damon, in 2020 the community’s response to the “Senior
Santa Program” was astounding and she expects that support will continue this
year too.
“People who do this seem to be over-the-top generous,” she said.
It’s just so overwhelming in such a positive way. We’ve had people taking two,
three or four ornaments at a time.”
In developing the list of seniors who will receive gifts, Damon said many of the recipients do not have families or are financially strapped. She said gift requests typically range from meals to a warm pair of socks to winter coat and boots and the “Senior Santa Program” does its best to make sure their gift requests are achieved.
The
program is open to all seniors in Cumberland County, although they need to be
referred through an agency such as Windham’s Ledgewood Manor.
Managing the
logistics of trying to deliver so many requested gifts to so many seniors is a
challenge, but one that Damon said that Home Instead staff members and
volunteers welcome every Christmas.
Damon said the “Senior Santa Program” connects some isolated seniors with friends and neighbors who want them to know they are not forgotten during the holiday season.
“I think everyone should take away from this and realize that there are seniors who can be overlooked at this time of year,” she said. “It can be very lonely for people. This program sends the message that there are people in the community who care about them and want to make their holidays brighter.”
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 207-839-0441. <
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