A local program providing gifts and companionship to isolated and forgotten seniors in Jefferson County hopes to reach an additional 1,000 seniors this year. In 2007, “Be a Santa to a Senior,” sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care of Louisville, provided 4,000 gifts to 2,000 seniors. But with the economic downturn the need is greater and organizers are setting the bar much higher.

“The senior communities we work with tell us that there are more seniors who will go without this holiday season,” said Becky Beanblossom, owner of Home Instead Senior Care in Louisville, providing companionship and non-medical home care to area seniors. “We encourage the community to pull together to reach 3,000 seniors with 6,000 gifts.”

More than 20 area senior facilities, and K-Mart and WalMart stores are partnering with Home Instead Senior Care of Louisville to serve thousands of seniors in Jefferson County.

 “It’s not just about the gifts,” said Beanblossom. “The program is also designed to provide social interaction for seniors who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.”  

 From Thursday, Nov. 6, until Friday, December 12, shoppers can select ornaments from “Be a Santa to a Senior” trees at the Hikes Point K-Mart on Taylorsville Road, the Fern Creek WalMart on Cedar Springs, the Bashford Manor WalMart on Bashford Manor Lane, and the Middletown WalMart on Shelbyville Road.

Each ornament lists the first name of a senior in need, along with gift requests. Seniors were selected by participating non-profit organizations and senior communities. Holiday shoppers can purchase gifts and return them unwrapped, along with the ornament, to customer service at each store location. 

Home Instead Senior Care then enlists the volunteer help of the community to collect, wrap, and distribute the gifts. 

Wrapping parties are scheduled from Wednesday, Dec. 3, through Tuesday, Dec. 16.   Deliveries will take place Wed, Dec. 17 through Friday, Dec. 19. Those interested in volunteering should contact Home Instead Senior Care at (502) 515-9515 or beckybeanblossom@earthlink.net. Businesses are encouraged to contact Home Instead Senior Care about adopting groups of seniors.  For more information about the program and tree locations, log on to www.beasantatoasenior.com.

This is the fifth year of the national program where last year volunteers distributed more than 400,000 gifts to deserving seniors across the U.S.  Since “Be a Santa to a Senior” was launched four years ago, Home Instead Senior Care franchises across the country have helped provide more than 930,000 gifts to nearly 570,000 seniors.