'Be A Santa To A Senior' To Spread Holiday Joy On The North Shore

NORTHBROOK, IL — If you're looking for a way to give some joy directly to North Shore seniors who have given so much to their communities, stop by one of the Be a Santa to a Senior holiday arrangements on display through December 20.

Ornaments on trees at the displays may have just a simple request – a blanket, a pharmacy gift card – but the impact on the community is real, especially for seniors who may be lonely or impoverished.

The program is now in its 14th year of providing holiday cheer and companionship for North Shore seniors. More than 60,000 volunteers have helped out and more than 1,000 seniors in need have been supported in the program.

Be a Santa to a Senior snowmen and Christmas trees are decorated with paper ornaments featuring the first names of needy seniors and their desired gifts. Shoppers can select an ornament, buy the gifts requested, then return them to the store with the ornament attached without having to worry about wrapping — community volunteers and program partners will wrap and deliver the gifts to local seniors in time for the holidays.

“Research suggests that feelings of loneliness can have a real effect on both mental and physical health. The holidays are a prime time for many people to feel lonely if there is no sense of a strong or any support network. Our Be A Santa (Friend) program solves that by bringing the holidays directly to them,” said Julie Portugal-Gange, of the Northshore Home Instead Senior Care office.

Home Instead started the program and partners with local nonprofits and community organizations to find seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season. Then it works with local businesses and stores to buy and distribute gifts by placing trees and ornaments around the area.

To see what seniors are asking for and bring some holiday cheer, check out any of the five local Be a Santa to a Senior displays:

_{Photos courtesy Be a Santa to a Senior}