Christmas wishes do indeed come true, and no matter how old you are, an annual program sponsored by Home Instead of Gorham intends to bring cheer and a smile to older residents in need this holiday season in Windham and Raymond.
 |
| Participation in the 'Be A Santa To A Senior' program offered by Home Instead will help elderly residents in the Lakes Region have a brighter Christmas. Tree ornaments featuring seniors' first names and gift suggestions are available ay Blue Seal Feeds, 43 Main St., Windham, and gifts purchased for seniors must be returned by Dec. 4. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
The local tree location is at Blue Seal Feeds, 43 Main St. in Windham. All gifts need to be returned to the tree location or to Home Instead at 502 Main St. in Gorham no later than Wednesday, Dec. 4.
According to Kathy Damon, a home care consultant for Home Instead, the program annually serves more than 600 seniors across Cumberland County and has worked with more than 20 different nonprofits and senior agencies in developing a list of deserving seniors to be given gifts.
When volunteers pair up with police officers to deliver the gifts at Christmas that experience is incredibly moving and emotional, Damon said.
“For me, the best part of doing this comes in delivering the gifts,” Damon said. “To hear the appreciation is just wonderful.”
The Be A Santa To A Senior Program is evidence for many seniors that these simple gifts reminds them that they have been thought of during the holiday season.
Many of the recipients have no family or are financially strapped. What the recipients typically ask for ranges from food to a warm pair of socks to a winter coat or boots and the staff at Home Instead makes sure that all requests are fulfilled.
Each year after the gifts have been delivered, Home Instead receives thank you notes from recipients and senior caregivers who are grateful for the gifts.
In previous years, gift items have included everything from magnifying glasses to hand-held grabbers, warm socks, winter coats and boots, large Christmas bags and tissue paper, Christmas treats, lap blankets, puzzles of different strengths, large-print puzzle books, reading glasses, stamps, to gift cards from Hannaford, Bull Moose, Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop, Walmart and other stores, Damon said.
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 hats 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.
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.
Damon said the logistics of matching the right gifts to the right seniors can be challenging every year, but the Be A Santa To A Senior Program connects many isolated community members with those who want to help.
“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. <
No comments:
Post a Comment