Kelowna

Photo: Contributed - City of Kelonwa

Walter Gray

Kelowna Mayor, Walter Gray has proclaimed December 12 as 'Be A Santa To A Senior Day' in Kelowna.

The Be A Santa To A Senior program originated with Home Instead Senior Care to provide holiday gifts to isolated seniors who may otherwise go without a gift during the holiday season.

For seniors without loved ones and poor financial support, the holiday season can be a very lonely time.

"Seniors faced with the high cost of living can find they have little left at the end of the year," says Home Instead Senior Care owner Don Henke.

Residents in the Central Okanagan are encouraged to pick up an ornament from Christmas trees set up at London Drugs in both Kelowna and West Kelowna.

Each ornament contains the first name of a senior and a requested gift.

People can take an ornament, buy the item listed and return it to the same location unwrapped.

Local members of the RCMP will help deliver the gifts.

"Be A Santa To A Senior is another way to say 'thank you' to the many seniors who have made such important contributions to our community throughout the year," says Henke.

"Helping a needy older adult can bring fulfillment to the giver as well as the receiver - it does make a difference."