Tri-County News

Deck the halls for a deserving senior in St. Cloud area


Be A Santa to a Senior program from Home Instead delivers cheer
to older adults

As isolation continues to impact local seniors, Home Instead renews the important Be a Santa to a Senior® program promising another season of holiday cheer.

Be A Santa to a Senior supports older adults who may be overlooked, isolated or alone during the holiday season. This is the third year for the local program that gives back to older adults and reminds them they are cherished by our community. The gifts collected, which are often necessity items such as toiletries, clothing, and blankets, make a big impact and help area seniors combat the holiday blues.

“We’ve all experienced feelings of loneliness during the pandemic, and seniors are at a particularly high risk for isolation,” said Jason Crane, owner of the -Andover and Waite Park Home Instead offices. “Be a Santa to a Senior shows the older adults in our community that they are valued and thought of during the holidays.”

This year, the Waite Park office is partnering with Lunds & Byerlys of St. Cloud and the Whitney Senior Center to provide gifts to approximately 200 seniors in the area.

With the continued safety of seniors, donors and volunteers top of mind, the community can participate in this year’s program virtually.

How to get involved

Members of the community can visit BeASantatoaSenior.com and enter their zip code to view Wish Lists for local seniors on Amazon Business through Friday, Dec. 10. A personalized greeting can be included with the gift which will be shipped directly to the senior.

Individuals can visit the participating Lunds & Byerly’s St. Cloud location and look for the Be a Santa to a Senior tree on display from Nov. 12 to Dec.10. The tree will be decorated with ornaments featuring information on how to shop for local seniors through Amazon Business.

“A small act of kindness can make a big difference. And a heartfelt gift brightens the lives of older adults who may feel alone during the season,” said Crane. “Finding ways to care and support one another is important now more than ever and we are grateful for the community’s involvement every year.”

Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations:

Lund’s & Byerly’s – 2510 W. Division St., St. Cloud 56301, MN.

Whitney Senior Center – 1527 Northway Dr., St. Cloud 56303, MN.

Since the program’s inception 18 years ago, Be a Santa to a Senior has helped provide more than 2 million gifts to over 750,000 seniors in North America and attracted upwards of 65,000 volunteers.

Gifts will be delivered to seniors in time for the holidays. Shoppers are encouraged to purchase as many gifts for seniors as they would like. If you have a passion for giving back and helping seniors, visit www.homeinstead.com/home-care-jobs to learn more about becoming a CAREGiver℠. From personal care and companionship to transportation and meal preparation, compassionate CAREGivers allow seniors to remain in their homes.

For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com.

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