The holidays are a happy time of year for many, but can be the loneliest time of year for seniors in our area that don't have family to celebrate with.
That's why the "Be a Santa for a Senior" program was started in Fort Smith last year by a local elderly care group, to give Christmas presents to seniors that may not get one otherwise.
"It makes them feel, not only special but it makes them feel remembered and not alone, and those are really important things at the holidays," says Trish Kremer from the Butterfield Place Retirement Community, which takes part in the program.
Jonathan Fry, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Fort Smith, organized the first year's "Santa for Seniors" program, and says it works a lot like the Salvation Army's Angel Tree. Paper ornaments with senior's names and gift ideas are hanging on trees at United Federal Credit Unions in Fort Smith and Van Buren, pick an ornament off the tree and buy the item listed on it, then return it to any of the credit unions taking part by December 15.
"Then we'll get together for a big wrap party at the Butterfield Place, where volunteers from all over will wrap those presents for delivery," said Fry on Monday.
But though the trees went up on November 23, most of the ornaments are still waiting to be picked up. Each one represents a senior that either doesn't have family in the area, or may not have a merry Christmas because of financial or health reasons.
Fry said they hoped this year to double the number of seniors that get gifts from local Santas.
"A lot of the volunteers have told me the biggest gift for them was actually the looks on the seniors' faces when they walked in with gifts," he said.
Ginger Bogle, the manager of Butterfield Place, says as seniors get older it become more important for them to socialize, either with family and friends or other community members. Because so many families are separated by long distances nowadays, Bogle says more seniors are finding themselves alone, which makes them more prone to certain ailments like depression.
Because of that, both the seniors that get presents and help wrap or give them as part of the program are doing more the keep themselves connected and healthy.
"We have a group of lively, active seniors here and they look for things to do and we look for things for them to do to keep involved in the community," Bogle said Monday.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help with the gift-wrapping event, contact Jonathan Fry at (479) 434-6960. Businesses can also contact the Home Instead Senior Care office about adopting groups of seniors. For more information about the program, log on to BeASantaForASenior.com.
That's why the "Be a Santa for a Senior" program was started in Fort Smith last year by a local elderly care group, to give Christmas presents to seniors that may not get one otherwise.
"It makes them feel, not only special but it makes them feel remembered and not alone, and those are really important things at the holidays," says Trish Kremer from the Butterfield Place Retirement Community, which takes part in the program.
Jonathan Fry, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Fort Smith, organized the first year's "Santa for Seniors" program, and says it works a lot like the Salvation Army's Angel Tree. Paper ornaments with senior's names and gift ideas are hanging on trees at United Federal Credit Unions in Fort Smith and Van Buren, pick an ornament off the tree and buy the item listed on it, then return it to any of the credit unions taking part by December 15.
"Then we'll get together for a big wrap party at the Butterfield Place, where volunteers from all over will wrap those presents for delivery," said Fry on Monday.
But though the trees went up on November 23, most of the ornaments are still waiting to be picked up. Each one represents a senior that either doesn't have family in the area, or may not have a merry Christmas because of financial or health reasons.
Fry said they hoped this year to double the number of seniors that get gifts from local Santas.
"A lot of the volunteers have told me the biggest gift for them was actually the looks on the seniors' faces when they walked in with gifts," he said.
Ginger Bogle, the manager of Butterfield Place, says as seniors get older it become more important for them to socialize, either with family and friends or other community members. Because so many families are separated by long distances nowadays, Bogle says more seniors are finding themselves alone, which makes them more prone to certain ailments like depression.
Because of that, both the seniors that get presents and help wrap or give them as part of the program are doing more the keep themselves connected and healthy.
"We have a group of lively, active seniors here and they look for things to do and we look for things for them to do to keep involved in the community," Bogle said Monday.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help with the gift-wrapping event, contact Jonathan Fry at (479) 434-6960. Businesses can also contact the Home Instead Senior Care office about adopting groups of seniors. For more information about the program, log on to BeASantaForASenior.com.
