Home Instead urges the local community to help spread holiday cheer
Cookeville – Home Instead of central Tennessee says they encourage residents to participate in the 20th anniversary “Be a Santa to a Senior” program. This is the program’s 17th year in the area.
According to Home Instead, the program shares joy by “giving a gift with older adults in the community who may not have anyone to celebrate with.”
“The holidays can be hard for many older adults, especially those who may not have a companion to share them with,” said Rob Brown, owner of the Cookeville Home Instead office. “Through “Be a Santa to a Senior” we can help these seniors experience the happiness and togetherness the season can bring.”
Program coordinators hope to collect gifts for more than 450 people this year.
To participate, shoppers can look for “Be a Santa to a Senior” trees or displays at locations around the area. Ornaments featuring the name and desired gift of an older adult will be on display, and shoppers can buy the requested gift and return it wrapped or unwrapped to the location with the ornament attached. Ornaments will be available through Dec. 11. The gifts will be delivered to local older adults in time for the holidays.
“Be a Santa to a Senior” trees can be found at the following locations:
- Algood Walmart, 589 W Main St., Cookeville, TN 38506
- The Village Green Shopping Center, 126 Stonehenge Dr., Crossville, TN 38558
“Gifts aside, the true value comes in the connection “Be a Santa to a Senior” makes between the community and our older neighbors,” said Brown.
“Be a Santa to a Senior” has engaged more than 65,000 volunteers, provided more than 2.2 million gifts, and shared the holiday spirit with about 800,000 older adults nationwide.
“Be a Santa to a Senior”brings together the entire community, with support from local businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, volunteers and countless other community members,” according to a release. “The Home Instead office in Cookeville has partnered with Caris Hospice, Upper Cumberland Development Department, Suncrest Home Health, Gentiva Hospice, Algood Walmart, Fairglade Mall, Quality Home Health, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, First Methodist Church, and other community partners to assist with gift collection and distribution.”
For more information visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com.
To learn more about helping older adults in the Upper Cumberland visit imreadytocare.com.
Image by Freepik.
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