A Sudbury home-care provider is teaming up with Amazon Business to provide some holiday cheer to local seniors this Christmas.
Home Instead has been hosting its Be A Santa to a Senior program for 17 years, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, things will be very different this year, said a news release.
“This holiday season is going to look different for everyone, but as COVID-19 restrictions remain in place, seniors across Sudbury and the North are especially at risk of significant challenges associated with isolation,” said Home Instead, in a news release.
This year’s Be A Santa to a Senior will have options available for virtual and contactless gift-giving.
For the first time in the program’s history, Home Instead is teaming up with Amazon Business to create a contactless gift-giving experience for volunteers and recipients. The new Amazon Business collaboration will provide the same holiday cheer to local seniors while also prioritizing the safety and wellness of all who are involved. Extra precautions will be taken so gifts can be safely collected and delivered to seniors in need.
This year’s program will run from Nov. 12 to Dec. 12. A virtual kick-off event will take place Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. to learn more about the program and its positive impact on local seniors.
“Our senior population has been through so much this year, with COVID-19 having detrimental and lasting effects on many older adults’ well-being, physical and mental health,” said Lisette Wirta, owner of the Home Instead office, servicing Sudbury and the North.
“We’ve all felt lost or lonely at some point during the pandemic, but the reality is that these feelings of isolation are prevalent among seniors, even at the very best of times. A simple gift or small gesture can show them that they have been thought of, which is more important this year than ever.”
Anyone wanting to participate can visit BeASantatoaSenior.com and enter their postal code or city to view Wish Lists for local seniors on Amazon. A personalized greeting can be included with the gift which will be shipped directly to the senior where it will be safely delivered.
“We need the community’s help more than ever to make sure seniors feel connected this year,” said Wirta. “This year we knew we had to find a way to spread holiday cheer to seniors, and we are grateful for the community’s participation.”
Since the program’s creation in 2003, Be a Santa to a Senior has provided approximately 2.1 million gifts and brightened the season for more than 750,000 deserving seniors nationwide. With adjustments, Home Instead will be able to continue the annual gift-giving program while following social distancing and safety precautions during COVID-19.
Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at Home Instead Senior Care, 2009 Long Lake Rd. #303
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or phone 705-523-1600.
