Be a Santa to a Senior this holiday season

Gifts are being collected through December 13

Home Instead Senior Care in Bremerton is offering Kitsap and Gig Harbor communities the chance to spread joy to local seniors through the Be a Santa to a Senior program, where you can give a special holiday gift.

Since the program’s inception in 2003, Be a Santa to a Senior has mobilized more than 60,000 volunteers, provided approximately 2.1 million gifts, and brightened the season for more than 700,000 seniors nationwide.

“The Be a Santa to a Senior Program is all about including seniors in the joy of the holiday season,” said Todd O’Neill, senior care expert and owner of Home Instead Senior Care office serving Kitsap County and Gig Harbor. “A simple gift shows them they are a loved and vital member of our community.”

The program has much support from local businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, numerous volunteers and members of the community. Donor organizations include New Life Church Port Orchard, United Moving & Storage, and Kitsap Optical, among others.

To help, visit Home Instead Senior Care at 840 Callahan Drive, Suite B, in Bremerton, and ask for the Be a Santa to a Senior representative. Request the number of seniors you would like to sponsor and receive a list with the seniors’ names and gift requests. Then, buy the requested gift, wrap and label with the community code and senior’s name and return it to the office or call to coordinate a pickup.

Home Instead Senior Care’s BASTAS team will then deliver the gifts to local seniors in time for their holiday celebration. Gifts are being collected through Dec. 13.

“While it may seem like a small act of kindness, it can really make a difference for someone this holiday season,” O’Neill said. “Watching seniors open the gifts they received through Be a Santa to a Senior and seeing the smiles and appreciation on their faces is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.”

For more information about the program, visit BeASantaToASenior.com or call 360-782-4663.