A group of local volunteers is once again stepping up to ensure Chatham-Kent seniors aren’t lonely and isolated this holiday season.
In its fourth year, the Santa for Seniors campaign will collect holiday cards and pack gifts to give to seniors living in retirement and nursing homes, as well as to those who live independently. All of the cards and presents are delivered to local seniors the week before Christmas.
Co-organizer Dava Robichaud said Santa for Seniors is a project that was inspired by many other food and gift drives that took place in Chatham-Kent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These past few years have been particularly challenging for so many people in our community, and there have been lots of great ways to help with these challenges,” said Robichaud in a news release. “Isolation is another challenge, especially for seniors, and we hope to brighten their day with some gifts and cards from every corner of Chatham-Kent.”
Examples of some items that can be given as gifts are toiletries, cookies, tea, puzzles, hats, gloves, stationery, and other small items. Those who need an empty box can pick one up from the TekSavvy Security Kiosk at 800 Richmond St., in Chatham.
Boxes and cards will be accepted until December 15. The gifts will then be sanitized by volunteers before they are wrapped and delivered.
“In 2020, the community came together to provide over 5,800 greeting cards and a little over 800 gifts for local seniors. The following two years, we collected over 3,150 gifts and 3,500 greeting cards,” said co-organizer Emmalee Longbottom. “With 2,000 seniors living in retirement and nursing homes, and hundreds more living on their own, we’d like each senior to get a greeting card and gift this year.”
Ahead of the deadline, organizers will be holding several fundraisers to support the Santa for Seniors campaign. These include a Trivia Night at Red Barn Brewing Company on November 7, a Boston Pizza Fundraiser on November 22, and a Steak BBQ Fundraiser at the Imperial Club in Chatham on November 24.
For more information and updates about the campaign or the fundraisers, click here.
