EBS STAFF
A holiday program encourages Gallatin Valley residents to share joy by giving a gift to older adults in the community who may not have anyone to celebrate with.
According to a press release from Home Instead, a senior care provider with an office in Bozeman, the Be a Santa to a Senior program will collect gifts until Dec. 4. This year, Home Instead aims to provide gifts and connection to more than 300 local seniors. Anyone can get involved by choosing a gift request ornament and purchasing the item listed on it.
“The holidays can be hard for many older adults, especially those who may not have a companion to share them with,” Ruth Ann Marchi, owner of the Bozeman Home Instead office, stated in the release. “Through Be a Santa to a Senior, we can help these seniors experience the happiness and togetherness the season can bring.”
To participate, shoppers can look for “Be a Santa to a Senior” trees or displays at two Gallatin Valley stores: Rosauers in west Bozeman, and Town and Country on W. Madison Avenue in Belgrade.
Ornaments on display will show the name and desired gift of an older adult, and shoppers can buy the requested gift and return it unwrapped or in a gift bag to the location with the ornament attached. Ornaments will be available until Dec. 4, and the gifts will be delivered in time for the holidays.
“Gifts aside, the true value comes in the connection Be a Santa to a Senior makes between the community and our older neighbors,” Marchi stated.
