The fifth annual Santa for Seniors program garnered a tremendous amount of community support, with over 90 boxes and bags of gifts donated to 215 seniors living at long-term care homes throughout Muskoka.
Santa for Seniors is a community initiative in partnership with the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, the District of Muskoka, James Street Retirement Residence, The Pines Long-Term Care Home, Muskoka Hills Retirement Villa, and Castle Peak Retirement Residence that supports local seniors who may not be able to see their families over the Christmas holidays. The program launched this year at the Bracebridge Library on November 12.
Seniors write anonymous wish lists which are put on a Christmas tree at the library and are then selected by participants to purchase, wrap, and return to the library by a specific date.
Once all the wish lists are gone, they are replaced with tags listing items participants can donate to the Manna Food Bank in Bracebridge. This year, the donations included non-perishable food items and treats and toys for pets.
Bracebridge Library Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Matthew Reisler, extends his gratitude to those who donated and says the wish lists flew off the tree this year.
“Not only did patrons quickly take the wish lists, but some bought extra gifts they felt the person who wrote the list may enjoy,” said Reisler. “We were – once again – blown away by the generosity of library patrons. They showed that the Christmas spirit is alive and well.”
