Community Corner

Local Program Brightens the Holidays for Seniors in Southwest Allegheny and Washington Counties

'Be a Santa to a Senior' trees will be in Bethel Park, Castle Shannon and Pleasant Hills.

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of Home Instead Senior Care: 


This season, holiday shoppers in Southwest Allegheny and Washington counties can give cheer to area seniors by participating in the Be a Santa to a Senior  program.

 

The program – run by the local Home Instead Senior Care office in partnership with Peter Township Meals on Wheels, SW PA Area Agency on Aging, Aging Services of Washington County, Washington Meals on Wheels, Lutheran Social Services Meals on Wheels, Independent Meals on Wheels, LifeSpan, FOR STO-ROX, LIFE Pittsburgh, Baldwin Towers, American Healthcare Properties, Char House, Canon Apartments, Burgettstown Elderly apartments, AHEPA 156 Apartments, Senior Life-Washington, area retailers including TJ Maxx at Donaldsons Crossroads, volunteers and members of the community – helps ensure isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship during the holidays. This can be a difficult time for many, especially those who live alone or have lost spouses and loved ones.

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

An estimated 27 percent of people 65 and older (10.8 million people) are widowed, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Further, the Administration on Aging reports about 28 percent (11.8 million) non-institutionalized people 65 and older live alone. 

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Retailers participating in Be a Santa to a Senior will display Christmas trees from Nov. 11 to Dec. 9 that feature ornaments with seniors’ first names and their gift requests. Holiday shoppers can pick an ornament from these trees, buy the items listed and return them unwrapped to the store, with the ornament attached.

 

Be a Santa to a Senior trees will be located at:
Washington Crown Center, 1500 West Chestnut St., Washington

Oxford Management Company, 2000 Oxford Drive, Bethel Park

Wonderous Luxuries, Lebanon Shops, Mt. Lebanon Blvd., Castle Shannon

Classics by Rene, 23A Old Clairton Rd., Pleasant Hills

Curves, South Park Road, Bethel Park

Walgreens, corner of  Route 19 and Washington Road, Bethel Park

 

The local Home Instead Senior Care office will enlist volunteers from its staff, senior-care business associates, non-profit workers and others to collect, wrap and distribute the gifts to local seniors who might otherwise spend the holiday alone.

 

Be a Santa to a Senior gives back to older adults in our area, many of whom have had significant, positive influence on our lives,” said Lucy Novelly Cichon, owner at the local Home Instead Senior Care office. “During this season of giving, we encourage shoppers to buy a little extra to say thank you to these community members.”

 

For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 412-595-7554.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here