We at Home Instead Senior Care in Fountain Hills would like to sincerely thank everyone who participated in and contributed to “Be a Santa to a Senior” this holiday season.

Several Be a Santa to a Senior wreaths were placed around town and community members generously donated socks, blankets, lotions and other requested items. Overall, 600 items were collected for 140 area seniors. We are grateful to all our volunteers and donors who helped brighten a senior’s holiday this year.

We would also like to thank our community partners who were instrumental in the success of this program including: JT Despain, who led volunteers as part of his Eagle Scout project; FHMS National Junior Honor Society students, for wrapping and delivering gifts along with the Tolis, Nielsen, Despain, Lanman and Williams families; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for collecting wrapping supplies; Tonto Verde Lady Niners Golf Group, Silveridge RV Resort, Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church for collecting gifts; Fountain Hills Home Delivered Meals and Betty for the beautiful handmade quilts.

Be a Santa to a Senior is a nationwide program that provides gifts and companionship to seniors. Home Instead Senior Care partners with local non-profit and community organizations to identify seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts during the holidays.

Be a Santa to a Senior relies on volunteers who collect, wrap and deliver gifts. Since its inception in 2003, over 60,000 volunteers have helped distribute over 2 million gifts to more than 700,000 deserving seniors.

Again, thank you to all those who made this year’s Be a Santa to a Senior possible. It means so much to our local seniors and helps make their holiday season special. To volunteer for next year’s program or more information, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 480-500-6550.