Santa for Seniors Collects Gifts at Christmas in July

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but in a small way, all believe in the spirit of Santa. On Wednesday, July 25, Santa for Seniors will hold its annual “Christmas in July” cocktail party at TEW Galleries. Party organizers are Jill Sherman, Dottie Smith (Executive Director), and Jade Sykes Slover.


Santa for Seniors exemplifies the spirit of Santa by providing volunteers the opportunity to purchase inexpensive “senior friendly” items such as magnifying glasses, neck pillows, blankets, and many other gifts that can be given to lonely and homebound seniors on special occasions and especially during the holidays.

“Senior citizens are probably our loneliest and least considered group,” Chairperson Jill Sherman explained. “A little bitty gift makes them smile like the days when they were young and Santa Clause came to see them.”

Meals On Wheels Atlanta, through its Santa for Seniors program collects new, unwrapped “senior friendly” items such as big print books, bath or personal hygiene products, small blankets, slip-resistant slippers, personal fans, flashlights, or stationery. Items can be dropped off at SCS, 1705 Commerce Drive NW between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. For ticket information about the Christmas in July party, please contact Steve Hargrove at shargrove@scsatl.org or 404-605-8450.

Santa for Seniors Collects Gifts for Senior Clients

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but in a small way, all believe in the spirit of Santa. On Tuesday, July 19, Santa for Seniors will hold its annual “Christmas in July” cocktail party at Kings Home Furnishings. Party organizers are Jill Berry, Dottie Smith (Executive Director), Jade Sykes, and Maxine Hyland.

Santa for Seniors exemplifies the spirit of Santa by providing volunteers the opportunity to purchase inexpensive “senior friendly” items such as magnifying glasses, neck pillows, throws, and many other gifts that can be given to lonely and homebound seniors on special occasions and especially during the holidays.

“Senior citizens are probably our loneliest and least considered group,” Chairperson Jill Berry explained. “A little bitty gift makes them smile like the days when they were young and Santa Clause came to see them.”

Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, through its Santa for Seniors program collects new, unwrapped “senior friendly” items such as big print books, bath or personal hygiene products, small blankets, slip-resistant slippers, personal fans, flashlights, or stationery. Items can be dropped off at SCS, 1705 Commerce Drive NW between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. For ticket information about the Christmas in July party, please contact Steve Hargrove at shargrove@scsatl.org or 404-605-8450.

Christmas in July

Senior Citizen Services recently held its annual “Christmas in July” party for Santa for Seniors. It was a lovely party in the backyard by the pool of a gorgeous Buckhead home. Over 100 people attended and brought more than 200 gifts with them to be used during the holiday season.

Santa for Seniors is the brainchild of SCS Board Member, Jade Sykes, and her mom, Jill Berry. A few years back, Jade decided that for her December birthday, she would like her friends to bring a gift for a senior instead of bringing a birthday gift. Santa for Seniors was born! Each year since its inception it has grown.

Jill Berry says, “Senior citizens are probably our loneliest and least considered group. A little bitty gift makes them smile like the days when they were young and Santa Clause came to see them.”

Originally, the idea was to collect enough gifts so that each Meals On Wheels Atlanta client would receive something with their meal delivery on Christmas day. Last year, SCS collected enough gifts that not only did each meals on wheels client received a gift, but also each client in our Adult Day Care program AND each client in our eight Neighborhood Senior Centers. Nearly 1000 gifts were distributed during the 2007 holiday season!

If you would like to donate a gift for a senior, visit the “Special Events” section of www.scsatl.org for a list of “senior friendly” gift items. Gifts can be dropped at the SCS headquarters Monday through Friday from now until Christmas.