‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ Program Provides Comfort, Companionship and Cheer to Broward County Seniors

While many seniors enjoy being able to live independently, the holidays can be a difficult time for those who are unable to spend them with friends or loved ones. In fact, isolated seniors are at greater risk for loneliness, anxiety and depression.

This is why the local Home Instead Senior Care office serving Broward County is inviting the community to come together to bring some comfort and holiday cheer to area seniors through its Be a Santa to a Senior program. This is the program’s sixth year and reaches hundreds of area seniors.

“Research suggests that feelings of loneliness can have a real effect on both mental and physical health. The holidays are a prime time for many people to feel lonely, and that may be especially true for seniors who cannot travel from their homes or have lost their support network,” said Dinah Pickett, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Hollywood. “With Be a Santa to a Senior, we are able to bring them some comfort through a thoughtful gift that they might not otherwise receive. But, more importantly, we deliver those gifts with a warm friendly face and kind words to remind them that their community cares about them.”

Providing gifts and companionship at a time when seniors may need it most, the program is made possible through the generous support of local businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, numerous volunteers and members of the community. The local Home Instead Senior Care office has partnered Merriment Manor, Hollywood Beach Retirement Home, Lincoln Manor and Broward County Girl Scouts to help with gift collection and distribution.

Holiday shoppers are invited to support this local program by visiting a participating location where Be a Santa to a Senior trees will be on display through December 19th. Those trees will be decorated with paper ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and their desired gifts. Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it to the store with the ornament attached. There’s no need to worry about wrapping. Community volunteers and program partners will wrap and deliver the gifts to local seniors in time for the holidays.

“We’re excited to get started and see the tree ornaments turn into meaningful gifts and interactions that can make a real impact on seniors’ quality of life this holiday season,” said Pickett. “We know there are a variety of gift initiatives out there, and we are so grateful to have our partners and community come together to support this important cause that will bring some much-needed holiday spirit to many of our senior neighbors.”

Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following Bealls Outlet locations:

·         6651 Taft St., Hollywood

·         10004 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines

·         3278 Davie Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

·         1937 N Pine Island Rd., Plantation

For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 954-505-7957.

Picture of Author: Amanda Jones
Author: Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones specializes in content marketing. She holds a Master's degree in Marketing Management from the University of Florida and a Content Manager Professional Certificate from the University of Miami.

Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news directly in your email inbox.