Be a Santa to a Senior: program aims to brighten the lives of Sudbury seniors

A program aimed at helping seniors in Sudbury during the holidays is getting ready to start again.

The Be a Santa to a Senior program collects donations from the community, and gives out gifts to seniors in need.

Nikki Sage is a home care consultant with Home Instead Senior Care,  the company behind the program.

Some seniors don't have families to be with during the Christmas season, and a gift can mean a lot, Sage says.

"You can imagine if it's Christmas time or coming up to Christmas time and, all of a sudden, you get that favourite pair of slippers you wanted to buy yourself but couldn't afford," she said.

"[To] know [that] someone out in the community was thinking about you — it just gives you that warm feeling inside."

Sage says she's focusing on finding more seniors in need.

She notes that activity directors at assisted living facilities are good referrals because they know the residents who come in. "They know who can benefit. They know whose family comes and visits them," she continued.

"A lot of seniors are isolated and they don't have a lot money. They're living on [small] pensions."

Sage says people who want to refer a senior or donate to the program can contact the Home Instead Senior Care office.