Santa for Seniors Collects Gifts at Holiday Luncheon

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but in a small way, all believe in the spirit of Santa. On Tuesday, December 13, Santa for Seniors will hold its annual Holiday Luncheon at 103 West. The luncheon is hosted by Jill Sherman, Dottie Smith, and Jade Sykes. Attendees will bring unwrapped, new gifts that will be used by Meals On Wheels Atlanta on Christmas Eve for its clients.

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,” Jill Sherman explained. “A little bitty gift makes them smile like the days when they were young and Santa Clause came to see them.”

Gailen Rosenberg, Gift Wrap Chair, has scheduled Dec. 21 for a day of wrapping. Each gift will be wrapped and individualized for each client recipient.

Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, through its Santa for Seniors program is collecting 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. If you would like more information, please contact Steve Hargrove at shargrove@scsatl.org or 404-605-8450.

Individual Givers More Important Than Ever

Thank you to every individual and family who donated to Senior Citizen Services last year.

The Georgia Center for Nonprofits held their annual economic outlook meeting yesterday at Bank of America. I was reminded, once again, of how important individual donors are to Senior Citizen Services. For 2009, 74% of charitable giving in the USA was done by individuals – not government grants and not corporations. If you add the family foundations into the mix, that figure jumps to 82%.

Like many other nonprofits, SCS is continuing to see a decline in government funding and funding from agencies like United Way. At the same time, we are seeing an increase demand for services as the baby boomers are joining the ranks of older adults.

Our goal for the next five years is to increase our client base by 42% -- an aggressive goal. We can only do this with increased individual giving.

So, once again, THANK YOU for your gifts that make our work possible and enable SCS to support senior independence through meals, shelter, education and community.

P.S. Please remember SCS in your wills and trusts.

-- by Steve Hargrove, Director of Events and Marketing

Santa for Seniors

On December 7th, nearly 75 friends of Senior Citizen Services gathered with Santa Clause for lunch in Buckhead. Each guest brought a new, unwrapped gift for a senior to be delivered during the holidays. At the end of the luncheon, a mound of blankets, robes, hats, scarves, books, etc., were waiting to be gift wrapped.

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.

The week before Christmas brought several volunteers in to the SCS offices to wrap and label a gift for each senior Meals On Wheels Atlanta client. Volunteers enjoyed their festive time together with holiday music and snacks provided by Henri’s Bakery.

The gifts were delivered with meals on Christmas Eve. Many seniors do not have family in town and this visit from a friendly volunteer driver helped make their Christmas a little brighter.

Santa for Seniors Collects Gifts for the Holidays

Not everyone celebrates Christmas, but in a small way, all believe in the spirit of Santa. On Tuessday, December 7, Santa for Seniors will hold its annual Holiday Luncheon at 103 West. The luncheon is hosted by Jill Sherman, Dottie Smith, and Jade Sykes. Attendees will bring unwrapped, new gifts that will be used by Meals On Wheels Atlanta on Christmas Eve for its clients.

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,” Jill Sherman 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 is collecting 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. If you would like more information, please contact Steve Hargrove at shargrove@scsatl.org or 404-605-8450 or visit www.scsatl.org.

Santa for Seniors

This week, we will host our annual Santa for Seniors Holiday Lunch. This is an opportunity for people to bring new, unwrapped gifts that will be delivered to seniors during the holidays.

Gift suggestions for seniors:

Alarm clocks with big numbers
Flashlights with batteries
Gloves
Handkerchiefs or socks
Inexpensive CD players with CD’s
Hand or body cream
Items that are ergonomically designed like serving utensils or scissors
Magnifying glasses
Large print books
One size fits all robes
Personal fans
Packages of greeting cards
Radios
Reading lights that attach to books
Slip resistant cups, glasses and plates
Shave kits for men
Small throws and blankets
Writing pads with pens
Slippers that are slip resistant
Tote bags
Umbrellas
Scarves and hats for men
Stress balls for hand exercises

Gift wrappers are needed Wednesday, December 16 and Thursday, December 17. Phone 404-604-8450 if you are willing to donate an hour of your time.

by Steve Hargrove
Director of Events and Marketing