Home Instead’s ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ program adapts with the times
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- At a time when it may be more important than ever, Home Instead’s® seasonal favorite Be A Santa to a Senior returns stronger than ever [with new options for community participation].
Program coordinators evaluated the important holiday program and made adjustments with the safety of donors, seniors and volunteers in mind. With Bend seniors more isolated than ever because of concerns due to the virus, this year, for the first time in the program’s 17-year history, Home Instead is teaming up with Amazon Business, to create a contactless gift-giving experience for volunteers and recipients. The new Amazon Business collaboration will provide the same holiday cheer to local seniors while also prioritizing the safety and wellness of all who are involved.
“The Be a Santa to a Senior program brings so much joy to seniors in our community,” said Cole Mack, owner of the Bend Home Instead office. “Seniors are especially at risk for the feelings of isolation that we’ve all felt at some point during the pandemic, and a simple gift can show them that they have been thought of, which is more important this year than ever.”
Be a Santa to a Seniorrelies on the generous support of the Bend community and volunteers, as well as area businesses, nonprofit organizations, and retailers. This year Home Instead has partnered with Council on Aging and Central Oregon Veterans Council.
It’s easy to help. Members of the community can visit BeASantatoaSenior.com and enter their zip code to view Wish Lists for local seniors on Amazon Business through December 18. A personalized greeting can be included with the gift which will be shipped directly to the senior or to Home Instead where it will be safely delivered to the senior.
“We need the community’s help more than ever to make sure seniors feel connected this year,” said Mack. “This year we knew we had to find a way to spread holiday cheer to seniors, and we are grateful for the community’s participation.”
Since the program’s creation in 2003, Be a Santa to a Senior® has provided approximately 2.1 million gifts and with the help of more than 75,000 volunteers, brightened the season for more than 750,000 deserving seniors nationwide. With adjustments, Home Instead will be able to continue the annual gift-giving program while following social distancing and safety precautions during COVID-19.
For more information about the local program, visit www.beasantabend.com or call 541-330-6400.
For ideas and inspiration around helping seniors in your community, visit ReadytoCare.com.
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ABOUT HOME INSTEAD
Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, the Home Instead® franchise network provides personalized care, support and education to enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today, the network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 80 million hours of care annually throughout the United States, Canada and 13 other countries. Local Home Instead offices employ approximately 90,000 CAREGiversSM worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. Home Instead franchise owners partner with clients and their family members to help meet varied individual needs. Services span the care continuum – from providing personal care to specialized Alzheimer’s care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources. Visit HomeInstead.com. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
