For Hometown News
Be a Santa to a Senior, the popular campaign that has delivered 1.5 million gifts to needy seniors throughout North America during the past eight years, again is helping older adults cope in tough economic times.
"Many older adults continue to struggle in a down economy, particularly those who live alone with no family nearby to help provide resources," said Susan Miller, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Volusia County. Seniors have lost almost one-third (32 percent) of their buying power since 2000.
That's where Be a Santa to a Senior can help.
Before the holiday season, the participating local nonprofit organizations will identify needy and isolated seniors and provide those names to the local Home Instead Senior Care office.
Christmas trees will be displayed at area businesses until Dec. 11 that will feature ornaments with the first names only of seniors and their gift requests. The businesses are Belk's stores at 5519 S. Williamson Blvd., Port Orange, and 2617 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand; Cindy Ferrara State Farm, 713 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach; The Clubhouse Restaurant, 600 Wilder Blvd., Daytona Beach; Southern Commerce Bank, 1101 Beville Road, Daytona Beach (inside Wal-Mart); Walgreens at 1420 Beville Road, Daytona Beach, and 300 E. New York Ave., DeLand; Curves, 5820 S. Williamson Blvd., Port Orange; and Aberdeen, 50 Allwood Green Blvd., Ormond Beach.
A community gift-wrapping event, when hundreds of the presents will be wrapped, will be Dec. 13. The gifts then will be delivered to the recipients at the facilities the week of Dec. 17. Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to any participating location, along with the ornament attached.
For more information about the program, visit beasantatoasenior.com.