Santa for Seniors program back to ensure love for all during the Holidays

By Jeremy Appel on November 22, 2017.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

The Hat’s Santa for Seniors program, which provides disadvantaged elderly people with Christmas gifts, is gearing up for the holiday season.

Erin MacDonald, the initiative’s founder, said Christmas trees are popping up around town for people to provide donations.

The trees were placed at five locations throughout town — both Shoppers Drug Mart locations, ReMax Medalta, Hirsch Signs and Fox Safety.

“All the trees are set up,” she said, adding she plans to collect gifts and package them near the end of the month.

MacDonald said she hopes to receive more than 200 donations this year. Last year, Santa for Seniors collected about 100 gifts.

“It’s primarily geared towards people that don’t have a lot of family involvement, that are low income (and) people that have a public guardian,” she said. “The facilities choose their residents and just give me a list based on those things.”

Although Santa for Seniors works with seniors’ centres, there is the possibility of using referrals in the future.

“It wouldn’t be out of the question,” MacDonald said.

Santa for Seniors works with St. Joseph’s Home, Meadlowlands, Meadow Ridge, Riverview, Cypress View and Chinook Village.

The Strathcona Centre and Valleyview have initiatives of their own to assist seniors in need during the holiday season.