Be a Santa to a Senior Community Service Project Provides Older Adults a Dose of Holiday Cheer
November 15, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – November 16, 2009 – The popular campaign that has delivered more than one million gifts to needy seniors throughout North America in the past five years is under way in the Midlands for the first time. A local Chick-fil-A, along with agencies that serve older adults, have partnered with a senior-care service and a hospice provider to make sure that isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship through the Be a Santa to a Senior program.
The area office of Home Instead Senior Care has joined Harmony Care Hospice and Chick-fil-A to provide presents and special visits to seniors who otherwise might be overlooked this holiday season.
Most people aren’t aware that there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of seniors in every community who have no family and are alone, said Rene Kilburn, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Richland and Lexington counties. The holiday is often considered a time for children, but seniors – especially those who are isolated and lonely – need to be remembered as well. Be a Santa to a Senior is designed to give back to those needy seniors as well as to help stimulate human contact and social interaction for older adults who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.
Here’s how the program, which runs from December 1 – December 15, works: Prior to the holiday season, the participating local non-profit organizations will identify needy and isolated seniors and confidentially provide those names to representatives from Home Instead Senior Care and Harmony Care Hospice for this community service program. A Christmas tree, which will go up in the Chick-fil-A located at 229 Bush River Road in Columbia on December 1, will feature ornaments with the first names only of the seniors and their respective gift requests. Mayor Bob Coble and Sheriff Leon Lott will place the first ornaments during a 6:00 p.m. tree decorating celebration.
Holiday shoppers can select an ornament, purchase the suggested gift and return it unwrapped to the store, along with the ornament attached. After December 15, volunteers, senior-care business associates, non-profit workers and others will collect, wrap and distribute the gifts.
Individuals who donate to the Be a Santa to a Senior program will receive a $10.00 discount coupon to The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world-famous Rockettes, coming to Colonial Life Arena on December 6 for two performances at 4pm and 7pm. In addition, the first 40 individuals to donate at Colonial Life Arena will receive a one of a kind Radio City Christmas Spectacular Christmas ornament.
The holiday season is one of the happiest times of the year, but for many senior citizens it can be a very lonely time, said Daniel Burton, CEO of Harmony Care Hospice. Be a Santa to a Senior is a way to help brighten the holidays and show our gratitude to those older adults who have contributed so much to our community. We hope to reach many of our elderly neighbors with this gesture of holiday cheer and goodwill.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help with the gift-wrapping event, or for more information about the project, contact Renee’ Martin at 803.730.5620. Businesses are encouraged to contact the local Home Instead Senior Care office or Harmony Care Hospice about adopting groups of seniors.
About Home Instead Senior Care
Home Instead Senior Care is a locally owned business operating in the Midlands for over 10 years. Our non-medical services are offered to adults in their residence to help keep them active and independent. Our vision is to change the face of aging through thought leadership and quality service. For more information visit homeinstead.com/262 or call 736-4242.
About Harmony Care Hospice
Harmony Care Hospice is a South Carolina based hospice agency founded on the simple belief that no one should die alone, afraid, or in pain. Headquartered in Columbia, with additional offices in Hartsville, Lake City, and Laurens, Harmony Care Hospice serves patients and their families in 20 counties throughout the state. Harmony Care Hospice is committed to the philosophy that hospice should never be a one size fits all service. For more information about Harmony Care Hospice, visit www.harmonycarehospice.com
