After a successful first year, the Bracebridge Library is bringing back its Santa for Seniors program.
A tree has been put up in the library’s front lobby at 94 Manitoba St. and is adorned with tags with seniors’ wish lists. This year, Sarah MacNeil, Technical Services Coordinator, says they have partnered with The Pines, James Street Retirement Residence, Castle Peak Muskoka, charitable organization The Friends, and Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare.
MacNeil adds that any organization dealing with seniors that would like the tags should reach out to the library.
She says anyone is welcome to take a tag from the tree during the library’s hours. It’s open from 9 AM to 6 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, until 8 PM on Wednesday and Thursday, and until 4 PM on Saturday.
MacNeil says 154 tags were handed out last year. However, she points out they were only handed out to residents at The Pines.
“They went so fast,” says MacNeil. “We had a great response from the community.”
She asks that anyone getting presents wrap them and bring them to the library before Dec. 19. MacNeil adds that while many tags have multiple gifts listed, not all need to be purchased by one person. She says to only buy what you can afford.
If they run out of tags, MacNeil says library staff will put up wish lists for the Manna Food Bank in Bracebridge. “The little tags we’ll put up for the Manna Food Bank will directly correlate with what they need,” she explains.
The wish lists are written anonymously by a variety of seniors, MacNeil says. “Lots of cozzy items,” she adds but adds there are sometimes larger asks.
“Most of the asks are really humble,” adds McKenzie Barnes, Marketing and Communications Coordinator. “They’re really simple things, but they bring people a lot of joy.”
She says one gentleman lost his wife earlier this year so he asked for a few things that remind him of her. “It’s going to be his first Christmas without his wife around,” she says.