“Be a Santa to a Senior” Brings Cheer Once Again to Isolated and Forgotten Bay Area Seniors

PR Log (Press Release) – Nov 25, 2009 – The popular campaign that last year delivered hundreds of gifts to local Bay Area seniors in need is being planned once again this holiday season.  CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid Pharmacy  First National Bank of Northern California and area non-profit agencies are partnering with event sponsor Home Instead Senior Care to make sure that isolated seniors throughout the Bay Area receive gifts and companionship through the Be a Santa to a Senior program.

"Be a Santa to a Senior is a great way to give back to the older adults in the community during the hectic holiday season when many are forgotten,” said Martie Cruz, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care offices in San Mateo, San Bruno and Walnut Creek, providing companionship and non-medical home care for area seniors.

“The program is also designed to provide much-needed human contact and social interaction for older adults who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.”

From Nov. 3 and until Dec. 21, peninsula area shoppers can select ornaments from “Be a Santa to a Senior” trees at CVS Pharmacy stores in San Mateo, San Bruno, Foster City, Burlingame and South San Francisco, Rite Aid Pharmacy located at 666 Concar Dr. in San Mateo, and the First National Bank of Northern California in Millbrae.

From Nov. 18 and until Dec. 15, east bay shoppers can select ornaments from “Be a Santa to a Senior” trees at Rite Aid Pharmacy stores in Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Orinda, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, and Alamo.

Each ornament lists the first name of a senior in need, along with gift requests. Holiday shoppers can purchase gifts and return them unwrapped, along with the ornament, to the tree location.

“Gifts range in price from $5 to $25 so everyone has the opportunity to brighten the lives of a senior this year,” said Cruz.

Seniors were selected by local non-profit organizations that work with seniors in need.  Requests for gifts have also come from Bay Area independent senior living communities and skilled nursing facilities.

Senior residents from Magnolia of Millbrae, Atria Daly City, Byron Park, The Waterford at Rossmoor and The Commons at Dallas Ranch in Antioch will help gift wrap the donated gifts.  Home Instead Senior Care and community volunteers will deliver the gifts the week of Dec. 21.

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can contact Home Instead Senior Care at 650-877-8009. Businesses are encouraged to adopt groups of seniors.  For more information about the program, tree locations, and event partners, log on to http://www.beasantatoasenior.com.

Since “Be a Santa to a Senior” was launched six years ago, Home Instead Senior Care franchises across the country have helped provide more than one million gifts to 700,000 seniors in North America.  To learn more about Home Instead Senior Care, visit http://www.seniorsbayarea.com.