Local Program Brightens the Holidays for Berkshire County Seniors
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This season, many Berkshire County seniors who are alone or impoverished will receive some holiday cheer thanks to the Be a Santa to a Senior program.
Sponsored by the local Home Instead Senior Care office, the program brings together area nonprofits, retailers, numerous volunteers and members of the community to provide gifts and companionship for lonely and isolated seniors.
said Donna Sm“It is heartbreaking to think of the senior members of our community spending the holidays all by themselves, without any gifts or any way to celebrate the season,”ith, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Berkshire County. “But all too often, that’s what happens when seniors live alone. It can be a really tough time of year for them.”
Home Instead Senior Care has partnered with local social service organizations, local councils on aging, and some nursing facilities to help identify some seniors who are least likely to receive a gift or a visit this holiday season.
Local elementary school children from Williams Elementary, Crosby Elementary and Capeless Elementary in Pittsfield have volunteered to decorate gift bags for the gifts to be delivered in. Students from Hillcrest Educational Center Campuses have volunteered to make personalized cards for each senior receiving a gift. Students from the Health Tech Program at Taconic High School will help deliver gifts to residents at Hillcrest Commons.
Home Instead Senior Care has partnered with local Stop & Shop Supermarkets and Berkshire West Athletic Club to help with the gift collection and distribution. Program officials hope to collect 900 gifts in order to help more than 300 of area seniors this holiday season.
Participating retail locations will display Be a Santa to a Senior Christmas trees from Nov. 7 through Dec. 19 that feature ornaments with seniors’ first names and their gift requests. Holiday shoppers can pick ornaments from the trees, buy the items listed and return them unwrapped (and with the ornament attached) to the store.
Be a Santa to a Senior trees will be located at:
• Stop & Shop Supermarket, 876 State Road, North Adams
• Stop & Shop Supermarket, 660 Merrill Road, Pittsfield
• Stop & Shop Supermarket - 1 Dan Fox Dr. Pittsfield
• Berkshire West Athletic Club - 100 Dan Fox Dr. Pittsfield
Program partners and volunteers will wrap and distribute the gifts to local seniors who might otherwise spend the holiday alone.
“During this season of giving, we encourage shoppers to buy a little extra for a local senior,” Smith said. “Your gift - and more importantly the visit that comes with the delivery – could make their holiday season.”
For more information about the program, visit beasantatoasenior.com or call 413-442-0907.
Tags: senior citizens,
