Be a Santa to a Senior' Initiative Aims to Brighten Holiday Season for Erie Area Seniors

Erie News Now reports that Home Instead Senior Care is again holding its "Be a Santa to a Senior" initiative to uplift seniors in the Erie, Pa., area this holiday season, especially those adjusting to the pandemic. Home Instead has teamed up with Amazon Business to provide a contact-free gift-giving experience for volunteers and recipients. "We've all felt isolated at some point during the pandemic, but seniors are especially at risk of feeling isolated and a simple gift can show them that we are thinking of them," said Erie Home Instead office owner Dianne Cunningham. "And that's more important this year than ever." This year's initiative involves partnerships with Methodist Towers, the Barber National Institute, Lakeside Senior Center, Richford Arms, H.A.N.D.S., and St. Joseph Apartments. People can participate by visiting a Be a Santa to a Senior tree displayed at one of several area locations. The trees feature ornaments with the seniors' first names and gift suggestions. Participants will pick an ornament, purchase the requested gift, and return it unwrapped to the store with the ornament attached.