Bringing Holiday Spirit to Seniors in Isolation

Local senior citizens experiencing isolation this Christmas can get a little holiday cheer from the community this year through the Be a Santa to a Senior program.

Home Instead Senior Care will have trees with senior’s names and gift idea on trees at the Algood Walmart, Putnam County Library and even online this year. Program Coordinator Isabeau Strader said after 14 years, 2020 is more important than ever.

“Most of our senior population are extremely isolated this year, a lot of them have been at home and stayed at home for a lot of the year and they don’t have that access to friends and family like they have in years past,” Strader said. “Having a little bit of happiness from a gift or from some simple things is going to mean a lot to them this year.”

Strader said a lot of the senior’s requests are for things like hygiene items, new clothes or maybe a new blanket. However, she said there is a chance to provide happiness through more personal requests.

“They may love Reese’s Chocolate or they may be a big Elvis fan… so you know, they’ll put those kinds of things on those ornaments,” Strader said. “Hopefully, you’re getting some of those basic needs, because some of these seniors don’t have the income or financial assistance to afford that all of the time, as well as some items that will hopefully bring a smile to their face and just make them happy.”

Strader said the online ornament option is a way to make a senior’s Christmas right from home. She said this is a partnership with Amazon, and all you have to do is put in where you live to get connected.

“We have a website called BeaSantatoaSenior.com, where you can enter in our zip code, so the 38501, 38506 or surrounding areas,” Strader said. “It will bring up some virtual ornaments that will take you to a virtual wish list, specific to that senior.”

Be a Santa to a Senior’s website will show all the participating locations. There are also drop-off locations around Putnam County listed online.