'Santas' for seniors home alone on holidays needed

The "Be a Santa to a Senior" program has provided gifts for lonely and isolated seniors in Manatee County for the past decade. People choose a senior to buy a gift for from an ornament on a Christmas tree. The program is sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care and the trees are on display at Bealls Outlets, local Bon Worth locations and Bradenton Budget Self Storage from now through Dec. 10.
PROVIDED PHOTO — The "Be a Santa to a Senior" program has provided gifts for lonely and isolated seniors in Manatee County for the past decade. People choose a senior to buy a gift for from an ornament on a Christmas tree. The program is sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care and the trees are on display at Bealls Outlets, local Bon Worth locations and Bradenton Budget Self Storage from now through Dec. 10. PROVIDED PHOTO

We have celebrated Christmas and was glad to see the many organizations that stepped forward to make sure all the needy children in Manatee County had a Merry Christmas from Santa.

I was a nurse's aid for 50 years and saw many senior citizens homebound or living alone in nursing homes, and who have no one near to help them enjoy the holidays. There was one company that I knew of that was instrumental in getting them a gift on Christmas (Home Instead Senior Care).

Over the years I saw many seniors who were alone, knowing they had families but lived out of state. I hope next year some companies will find it in their hearts to be Santa for a day to put a smile on their faces.

Mary Hone

Bradenton

This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "'Santas' for seniors home alone on holidays needed ."

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