Program Aims To Offer Better Christmas For Elderly In Area

By April Burkhart, Athens-Banner Herald

November 9, 2009

Christmas trees. A common reaction to the mention of Christmas trees in early November usually evokes the thought, "We haven't even gotten to Thanksgiving and you want to talk about Christmas trees?" 

But the next time you see a tree with ornaments on it while you're out shopping, stop and take a look, because it might be a tree set up by Alicia Shelton, recruiting and retention coordinator at Home Instead Senior Care, for the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program occurring through Dec. 8.

Now in its fifth season, the program provides homebound residents in the community with gifts geared toward their personal needs during the holiday season.

"These are mostly homebound seniors who are lower-income adults who would truly benefit from a plethora of gifts," said Sarah McKinney of Home Delivered Meals at the Athens Community Council on Aging.

"The area is saturated with gift programs for children, which of course is what Christmas is about. But there are older adults by the hundreds in this area who are going to go without children (this holiday season). I think we put a lot of focus on children because Christmas is about kids, but Christmas is also about family and those people who administered love and care and Christmas to us for years and years. It's just a great way to reach back out to them."

Home Instead Senior Care administers the program to Clarke County and the surrounding area while the Athens Community Council on Aging works to collect names and information of seniors in need and helps disseminate the program. But they don't work alone.

All of the programs at the Council on Aging, along with Athens Regional Medical Center, Walmart and the University of Georgia Institute of Gerontology also participate. "We target different agencies that are excited and willing to participate, and what we ask from the agencies is that they simply help with publicity and ask people to visit the trees," McKinney said.

So how does one get involved?

"Visit the trees," McKinney said. "We'll have two trees within the Council on Aging, one at the Walmart on Epps Bridge and a tree at Hodgson's Pharmacy in Five Points. All they have to do is take the ornament off the tree, buy the suggestions on the ornament and whatever else they feel is appropriate and bring it back to the drop-off location."

Gifts bought at Walmart on Epps Bridge and Hodgson's Pharmacy can be left at the store for pick up. For other locations, the Council on Aging and Home Instead have staff and volunteers who will collect gifts from donors at a location of their choice.

Another way to help is by purchasing a gift card from a local store and mailing it to the Council on Aging.

"Seniors love gift cards because that's even more empowering," McKinney said. Shelton also suggests buying items in bulk and donating them to the program.

The Council on Aging also is seeking volunteers for a wrapping party at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10 to wrap the gifts intended for seniors.
It will be held at the Council on Aging, and volunteers should bring their own tape and scissors.

Gifts are to be returned by Dec. 8 to give Home Instead and the Council on Aging time to get the gifts lined up, organized and ready for the wrapping party. They will be delivered the week before Christmas.

The Council on Aging is accepting names of those in need for the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program as well. Anyone who knows a senior who can benefit from the program may call (706) 613-2224.

This year, the program is targeting 500 to 600 seniors. "To date, we have never not gifted a senior," McKinney said.

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