When the Senior Resource Association put out the call that Santa needed help providing gifts for local seniors, Indian River County residents answered with jingle bells all the way.
More than 900 lonely and homebound seniors received presents through the seventh annual Santa for Seniors holiday gift drive.
“It was truly a collaborative effort,” said Emily Wilcox, SRA business development director.
White Glove Moving and Storage donation boxes were placed at more than 30 locations throughout the county, and Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach stepped up in a big way, helping to collect, sort and wrap.
Donations by individuals, organizations and businesses exceeded the SRA goal of 655 gifts, enabling them to also provide gifts to Visiting Nurse Association and Alzheimer and Parkinson Association clients.
To make the most of their ask, items that would be helpful to seniors were requested, including blankets, puzzles, games, pet toys and appliances. In some cases when volunteers dropped off gifts, they saw a need for something else and circled back.
“For some of these people, this is the only gift they will get,” said Angela Bosman, SRA events coordinator, adding that recipients were humbled and grateful.
With the focus on keeping the magic of the season alive for children, the elderly are often forgotten, despite their being especially vulnerable during the holidays.
“Many of the SRA’s clients don’t have any family, so it meant a lot to them to be given something for Christmas; to know that we care about them,” said Trudie Rainone, SRA board member and volunteer.
She added that the increased isolation created by COVID has magnified feelings of loneliness and depression.
“More people than ever need help,” said Rainone. “The SRA helps the elderly in so many different ways. Delivering 16,000 meals a month is just one of the things they do.”
For more than 40 years, the SRA has provided “programs and services that support and advocate for independence and dignity of all adults,” such as Meals on Wheels, adult daycare, information referral, in-home services, public and demand-response transportation services.
“The demand for our programs and services has nearly doubled since March. I am humbled by the outpouring of compassion and generosity that our community has shown to so many of our seniors in need during this holiday season,” said Karen Deigl, SRA president/CEO.
Because of the pandemic, Deigl added, “now we all know what it feels like to be isolated and separated from our loved ones. For seniors who are alone and homebound year-round, these holiday gifts bring joy and reassurance that our community cares for them.”
The SRA client base increased by 77 percent since the start of the pandemic, with 135 people still on the Meals on Wheels waiting list. To meet the demand, the SRA needs additional funding and volunteers.
The SRA is taking its 16th annual spring fundraiser online this year, hosting a Virtual Musical Bingo on March 18. For more information, visit seniorresourceassociation.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
