Did you know that 28 percent of people 65 or older live alone, according to AARP? Each year on the Eastern Shore, these seniors have fewer family members and friends to provide company and care to them, and the holidays can be especially hard for many of our seniors who often are left to feel lonely.
That’s why the Home Instead Senior Care® Office serving Mid-Eastern Shore is inviting the community to come together to provide gifts and holiday cheer to seniors who may be isolated from friends or family this holiday season through its Be a Santa to a Senior® program. In the 7 years since the program’s creation, more than 3,000 local seniors have received gifts. Last year alone, more than 500 gifts were donated and distributed and Home Instead says they are hoping to increase that total to over 600 this year.
“Be a Santa to a Senior helps bring comfort and a smile to many seniors. It shows them that people care about them and see them as an important part of the community,” said Ben Marchi of the Easton Home Instead Senior Care office. “Social isolation is a concern among seniors and the holidays often intensify feelings of distance and loneliness. When our caring staff deliver the gifts and spend some time with them, it makes a big difference.”
Be a Santa to a Senior is a true community program, getting generous support from Easton businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, numerous volunteers and members of the community. The local Home Instead Senior Care office has partnered with dozens of local businesses over the years to help with gift collection and distribution.
It’s easy to help out. Go to one of the participating locations listed below and look for the Be a Santa to a Senior tree on display from now until November 30th. Each tree will be decorated with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and their desired gifts. Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it to the store with the ornament attached. There’s no need to worry about wrapping — community volunteers and program partners will wrap and deliver the gifts to local seniors in time for the holidays.
L-R: Ben Marchi, Jane Bateman, with Home Instead and Joanna Redmond and Nick Shockley from Bayleigh Chase
“We’re always excited to see how much Be a Santa to a Senior boosts seniors’ spirits during the holiday season,” said Marchi. “And we are grateful to be a part of a community that comes together to make this happen.”
Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations:
• Grasonville Senior Center – 4802 Main St., Grasonville, MD 21638
• Shore United Bank – 18 S. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601
• Hills Pharmacy – 503 Cynwood Dr., Easton, MD 21601
• Mid Atlantic Tire – 8105 Teal Dr., Easton, MD 21601
• Morgan Stanley – 28601 Marlboro Ave., Easton, MD 21601
• Bayleigh Chase Manor – 501 Dutchman’s Lane, Easton, MD 21601
• Lewis Auto Body – 8672 Brooks Dr., Easton, MD 21601
• Eglseder Wealth Management – 8694 Commerce Dr., Easton, MD 21601
• Denton Pharmacy – 508 5th Ave., Denton, MD 21629
• Craig’s Drug Store – 409 Race St., Cambridge, MD 21613
• St. Michaels YMCA – 1013 S. Talbot St., St. Michaels, MD 21663
• St. Michaels Hair Salon – 933 S. Talbot St., St. Michaels, MD 21663
• Providence State Bank – 321 Main Street, Preston, MD 21655
• Shore United Bank – 1013 S. Talbot Street, St. Michaels, MD 21663
• Kent Island Senior Center – 891 Lovepoint Road, Stevensville, MD 21666
• Shore United Bank – 8133 Elliott Road, Easton, MD 21601
• Shore United Bank – 212 Marlboro Avenue, Easton, MD 21601
• Providence State Bank – 124 N. Harrison St., Easton, MD 21601
• Providence State Bank – 301 Crusader Rd., Cambridge, MD 21613
• Avon Dixon Insurance Agency – 28640 Mary’s Ct. #100, Easton, MD 21601
• Talbot Senior Center-Brookletts Place – 400 Brookletts Ave., Easton, MD 21601
• Bridges Restaurant – 321 Wells Cove Rd., Grasonville, MD 21638
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call (410) 822-1230.
For more information about how you can help seniors in isolation in your community, visit imreadytocare.com
ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE
Ben and Jenna Marchi have owned Home Instead Senior Care on Maryland’s Eastern Shore since 2011 where they raise their two young sons. They provide personalized care, support and education to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today, their franchise is part of a network that is the world’s leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,100 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 60 million hours of care throughout the United States and 11 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 70,000 CAREGiversSM worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Instead Senior Care network partners with clients and their family members to help meet varied individual needs. Services span the care continuum – from providing personal care to specialized Alzheimer’s care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources.
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