Ravenna – At a time when it may be more important than ever, Home Instead’s® seasonal favorite Be A Santa to a Senior returns stronger than ever with new options for community participation.
Program coordinators evaluated the important holiday program and made adjustments with the safety of donors, seniors and volunteers in mind. With seniors in Portage County more isolated than ever because of concerns due to the virus, this year, Home Instead will collect gift cards for local seniors. Extra precautions will be taken so they can be safely collected and delivered to seniors with socially distanced front porch visits.
“The Be a Santa to a Senior program brings so much joy to seniors in our community,” said Therese Zdesar, owner of the Ravenna Home Instead office. “We’ve all felt isolated at some point during the pandemic, but seniors are especially at risk of feeling isolated and a simple gift can show them that we are thinking of them. And that’s more important this year than ever.”
Be a Santa to a Senior relies on the generous support of the local community and volunteers, as well as area businesses, nonprofit organizations, and retailers.
It’s easy to help. Members of the community can visit one of the participating locations listed below and look for the Be a Santa to a Senior tree on display. Trees will be up through December 11. Holiday shoppers can purchase gift cards for area businesses at the location. Those cards will be safely delivered to seniors who might otherwise not receive a gift this year
“We need the community’s help more than ever to make sure our seniors feel connected this year,” said Zdesar. “With all that’s happened this year, we knew we had to find a way to reach those seniors with some holiday cheer, and we are grateful for the community’s support.”
Since the program’s creation in 2003, Be a Santa to a Senior® has provided approximately 2.1 million gifts and brightened the season for more than 750,000 deserving seniors nationwide. With adjustments, Home Instead will be able to continue the annual gift-giving program while following social distancing and safety precautions during COVID-19.
Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations:
- Home Instead Senior Care, 705 Oakwood Street, Suite 107, Ravenna
- Bean and Baker, 107 East Main Street, Ravenna
- Mantua Station Drug Store, 10870 State Route 44, Mantua
- Portage Community Bank, 1532 S. Water Street, Kent 4424
- Portage Community Bank, 1311 East Main Street, Ravenna, 44266
- The RAC – 530 N. Freedom Street, Ravenna 44266
- Rootstown Community Pharmacy, 4211 State Route 44, Rootstown
- Stahls Farm Market, 4560 State Rt. 14, Edinburg Twp, Ravenna, Ohio 44266
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 330-297-1700.
