The popular campaign that in 2008 delivered more than 1,000 gifts to over 700 local needy seniors is underway again this holiday season. Area retailers, along with agencies that serve older adults, have partnered with a local senior-care service to make sure that isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship through the Be a Santa to a Senior program.

The area office of Home Instead Senior Care has joined Barren River Area Development District, Housing Authority, area nursing homes and the Salvation Army and Walgreens, Kmart, Walmart, Dollar General Chick-fil-a and Greenview Hospital to provide presents and special visits to seniors who otherwise might be overlooked this holiday season.

“Most people aren’t aware that there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of seniors in every community who have no family and are alone,” said Brad Cannon, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Logan, Simpson and Warren counties.

“The holiday is often considered a time for children, but seniors – especially those who are isolated and lonely – need to be remembered as well. Be a Santa to a Senior is designed to give back to those needy seniors as well as to help stimulate human contact and social interaction for older adults who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.”

Here’s how the program, which runs from November 18 through December 14 works: Prior to the holiday season, the participating local non-profit organizations will identify needy and isolated seniors in the community and provide those names to Home Instead Senior Care for this community service program. Christmas trees, which will go up in Walgreens on Nashville Road, Walgreens on Campbell Lane, Walmart on Veterans Memorial (in the shoe department), Dollar General on Scottsville Road, Chic-fil-a in the Greenwood Mall, Kmart on Scottsville Road, Walgreens (485 W 4th St) in Russellville, and the Greenview Hospital lobby on November 18 will feature ornaments with the first names only of the seniors and their respective gift requests.

Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, along with the ornament attached. Home Instead Senior Care then enlists the volunteer help of its staff, senior-care business associates, non-profit workers and others to collect, wrap and distribute the gifts to these seniors. A community gift-wrapping event will be held on December 17 at the H2U building adjacent to Greenview Regional Hospital.

“Be a Santa to a Senior is a way to show our gratitude to those older adults who have contributed so much to our community,” Cannon said. “We hope to reach out to many with this gesture of holiday cheer and goodwill.”

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help with the gift-wrapping event, contact Brad Cannon at 270-842-7540. Businesses are encouraged to contact the local Home Instead Senior Care office about adopting groups of seniors. For tree locations in your area, or for more information about the program, log on to www.beasantatoasenior.com.