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Christmas has come early for seniors throughout North Central, Arkansas.
Santa, along with the help from the wonderful ladies at Home Instead in Mountain Home, held a Christmas wrapping party last week in preparation to spread some Christmas cheer. Hundreds of presents were wrapped, filling up office desks and break rooms inside Home Instead’s Mountain Home office.
Throughout the week, presents for seniors will be dropped off at various senior homes including the Good Samaritan Society of Mountain Home, River Lodge in Harrison, The Springs in Mount Vista, Hillcrest Home in Harrison, Creekside Health and Rehab in Yellville, and Baxter Retirement Village in Mountain Home.
Each present has been picked for seniors who would not have received a gift this holiday season.
“Thank you to the partners that helped make this happen, not only the facilities working with people that live there, trying to find out what they need, as well as the people in the community that purchased gifts for them and our partners that helped put up the trees,” said Home Care Consultant, Susan Stockton.
Home Instead’s “Be a Santa to a Senior” program is in its 12th year. Last year, 750 older adults in north central Arkansas received gifts thanks to a generous outpouring of support.
Home Instead started the program in early Nov. this year, allowing residents to visit one of their programs designated areas to donate presents to seniors throughout North Central Arkansas.
Designated areas were marked by special Christmas trees or displays that featured ornaments bearing the name and desired gift of a senior in need. Shoppers could then buy the requested gift and return it wrapped, unwrapped or in a gift bag to the location where the ornament was attached. The program ran until Dec. 2.
“Be a Santa to a Senior” trees can usually be found at the following locations:
- Dollar General, 3436 Hwy 62 W, Mountain Home, 72653
- Dollar General, 329 Hwy 62 E, Mountain Home, 72653
- Estate & Elder Law Planning Center, 313 Hwy 201 N, Suite 5, Mountain Home, 72653
- Farmers & Merchants Bank, 502 Hickory Street, Mountain Home, 72653
- Home Instead, 124 Hwy 201 N, Mountain Home, 72653
- Home Instead, 702 North Main Street, Suite D , Harrison, 72601
- Hudson’s, 609 N Main Street, Harrison, 72601
- June’s Hallmark Shop, 319 Highway 62 E, Mountain Home, 72653
- Sullivan Pharmacy, 731 N Main Street, Suite B, Harrison, 72601
Since the program’s inception in 2003, Be a Santa to a Senior has mobilized more than 65,000 volunteers, provided approximately 2.2 million gifts, and brightened the season for more than 750,000 deserving older adults nationwide.
Paul and Lori Hogan launched Home Instead in 1994 to provide care to Paul’s 90-year-old grandmother. Home Instead focuses on providing seniors with the care they need to be able to age in place at their own homes.
Services by Home Instead include assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, and getting out of bed. They also include Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, alongside medication management and chronic illness care. Home Helpers are available to help seniors cook meals and clean their homes if needed. Transportation services are provided as well.
For more information visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call the local office at 870.425.0700.
To learn more about helping older adults in north central Arkansas visit imreadytocare.com.
