Home Instead is working to make sure no senior in Burnaby this holiday season will be forgotten.
The "Be A Santa to a Senior" program helps support older individuals that might be overlooked, isolated or alone during the holiday season while also reminding them they are cherished by the community.
“We’ve all experienced feelings of loneliness during the pandemic, and seniors are at a particularly high risk for isolation,” Owner of the Home Instead office serving Burnaby and South Vancouver Harpreet Singh says in a press release.
"Be a Santa to a Senior shows the older adults in our community that they are valued and thought of during the holidays.”
Those in the community that is wanting to participate can visit the decorated tree at the London Drugs (4970 Kingsway Ave.) where they will find ornaments on the tree.
Each ornament includes a gift request from a local senior, such as a blanket or slippers.
Home Instead says the gifts that are collected make a big impact and help Burnaby seniors combat the "holiday blues."
“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,” Singh adds.
“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.”
The public can find the tree on display from now until Dec. 20, 2021. Holiday shoppers can pick an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it unwrapped to the store with the ornament attached.
Home Instead says this year, the Burnaby office will be providing gifts to roughly 300 seniors in the area.
