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Some seniors in Winnipeg need a Santa this Christmas

Some seniors in Winnipeg need a Santa this Christmas

A Winnipeg organization is helping brighten the holidays for seniors who have no family, but some extra secret Santas are needed.

The annual Be a Santa to Senior program kicked off Wednesday and organizers are hoping some generous people out there can provide some Christmas spirit.

"So often we focus on children and families at Christmas that we forget about the most isolated population, which is our seniors," said Julie Donaldson, owner of Winnipeg Home Instead Senior Care, which runs the program.

"It's important that we give back to seniors because they are the foundation of our community."

Here's how it works: A number of Christmas trees are set up businesses and other partner organizations around the city. The trees have paper tag ornaments, each one containing the name and gift wish of a senior.

People can pick a tag, buy and wrap the gift, then return it to the same location. Program organizers will collect the gifts and deliver them at Christmas to the seniors.

Tree locations are on the Be a Santa to a Senior website. Gifts typically range in price around $20-$25, Donaldson said.

But the impact they have is priceless.

"It's wonderful to see the joy on the senior's face when they get the gift," she said.

Because the seniors are isolated, it can be a challenge to find them, Donaldson said. Local health professionals and agencies serving older adults, like Meals on Wheels, refer seniors for the program.

More than 1,600 seniors received gifts last year and more than 5,000 have had a present since the program started six years ago.​

For those who want to help but can't get around to one of the tree locations, the website also has a general gift wish list.

People can purchase any of those items and drop them off at Home Instead Senior Care Winnipeg (610 Sherbrook St.). Donations that aren't specific to an individual will be taken to Victoria and Grace hospitals, where staff will deliver them to patients who have no visitors on Christmas Day.