It’s the most magical time of the year! As Christmas seems to fill the hearts of others, decorations are placed and the joys of gift giving abound. For Home Instead, Christmas is truly magical as they kick off ‘Be a Santa to a Senior.’ This will be the 20th year for the program at our local Portage County Home Instead. Each year, Home Instead receive names of seniors who will not likely receive a gift or a visit at Christmas this year. This is the joy of this program, getting to spending time with our greatest generation- our seniors! For seniors the gift of a visit is the most precious part of the program to them. So, this year instead of Christmas red and green, Home Instead is painting the county purple with their “Be a Santa to a Senior” trees. The trees are placed across our county and decorated with purple paper bulbs, each one containing a first name of a senior and their Christmas wish. Then the goodness of our county takes over, people choose a name, shop for the present and bring it back unwrapped to the tree location where Home Instead picks up each gift.
“It’s so humbling being a part of this Home Instead tradition. Seniors receive not only a present but most importantly the gift of a visit. This is where you get to spend time with them and give your gift – the joy of the human spirit.” Says, Therese Zdesar- CEO of the Portage County Office.
For some seniors it is very much the simple things they are requesting. Stamps, cleaning products, snack baskets to name a few. Home Instead works with local businesses to place trees while 4-H groups, churches and schools make homemade cards to accompany the gifts. “Seeing a senior’s face light up when they open that homemade card puts a smile in my heart that lasts throughout the year.” says, Paula Baughman, Community Relations for the Portage County Home Instead Office.
Here’s where the magic happens: several wrapping parties are planned, which is like ‘Santa’s Workshop’ with volunteers and community leaders wrapping over 400 gifts. Then along with Home Instead, first responders and vetted volunteers help to deliver the gifts.
You can find one of the magical Home Instead trees at these following locations:
Home Instead, 705 Oakwood Street, Suite 107, Ravenna
Portage County Administration Building, Lobby Entrance, 449 South Meridian Street, Ravenna
Portage Community Bank, 1311 East Main Street, Ravenna
The RAC, 530 N. Freedom Street, Ravenna
Haasz Automall of Ravenna, 4886 State Route 14, Ravenna
Rootstown Community Pharmacy, 4211 State Route 44, Rootstown
Dairy Queen, 4009 State Route 14, Edinburg
Mantua Station Drug Store, 10870 State Route 44, Mantua
The Garrettsville Library, 10482 South Street, Garrettsville
Aurora Senior Center, 129 West Pioneer Trail, Aurora
Gifts can be purchased and brought back unwrapped to the tree location until 12-8-2023.
For more information about this program contact, Home Instead – 330-297-1700 or 330-995-1522.
