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.

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.

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

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

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.