Friday, December 10, 2010
From the Newsdesk
SARATOGA SPRINGS — For the sixth year running, people are invited to donate gifts for senior citizens who might otherwise be forgotten for the holidays.
Home Instead Senior Care has joined with local senior agencies, including the Senior Citizens Center of Saratoga Springs, Raymond Watkin Apartments and Stonequist Apartments, to present “Be a Santa to a Senior.”
Since it began in 2006, the national campaign has delivered 1.2 million gifts to needy seniors across North America.
On Nov. 26, Christmas trees were put up in several locations, including Saratoga Hospital and all Saratoga Springs Price Chopper stores (see full list below), with the first names and gift requests of needy and isolated seniors identified by participating organizations.
Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store along with the ornament attached. Volunteers will then wrap and deliver the gifts.
A community wrapping party will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at Saratoga Springs High School. Student members of the National Honor Society will be assisting the general public. All are invited to attend and participate.
“Most people aren’t aware that there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of seniors in every community who have no family and are alone,” said Nelson Carpenter, owner of the Home Instead office serving Saratoga, Washington and Warren counties.
This campaign, he said, “is a way to show our gratitude to those older adults who have contributed so much to our community.”
For more information about the campaign, call 580-1042 or go to www.beasantatoasenior.com.
- Price Chopper supermarkets at 115 Ballston Ave., Saratoga Springs; Church Street and Railroad Place, Saratoga Springs; and 3049 Route 50, Wilton
- Saratoga Hospital, 211 Church St., Saratoga Springs
- Boscov’s, Clifton Park Center, Clifton Park
- The Greater Glens Falls Senior Center Inc., 380 Glen St., Glens Falls
- Queensbury Senior Citizens Inc., 742 Bay Road, Queensbury
- Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, 213 Meadowbrook Road, Queensbury
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