Hundreds of local seniors were touched by the “Spirit of Christmas” this year thanks to the generosity of their fellow residents.
Media Release
For Immediate Release
www.washoecounty.us/seniorsrv
For Immediate Release
www.washoecounty.us/seniorsrv
Contact: Grady Tarbutton
328-2575
10000
328-2575
10000
Reno, Nevada. Hundreds of local seniors were touched by the “Spirit of Christmas” this year thanks to the generosity of their fellow residents.
Over 800 area seniors received gifts through the Be a Santa to a Senior program sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care. Gifts were donated by hundreds of holiday shoppers who picked up requests from gift trees inside local Walmart stores.
“The response has been wonderful and heartwarming,” Allen Ward of Home Instead Senior Care said. “For seniors, the emotional value of just being remembered during a time like this is as important as the gift itself.”
Ward noted that many of the seniors have requested basic necessities as gifts this year. Items such as shampoo, Kleenex, make-up and toiletries are among the most popular.
“The nature of these requests shows how hard this economy has been on people,” Washoe County Senior Services Director Grady Tarbutton said. “They are asking only for what they really need. The kind of things many of us can take for granted.”
Home Instead sponsors the Be a Santa to a Senior program on a national level. The local effort received names from over 25 different organizations throughout Reno, Sparks, and Carson City.
In Sun Valley, seniors who are regulars at Washoe County’s Sun Valley Senior Center wanted to do something to help homebound seniors in the community so they collected stuffed animals to deliver as Christmas week gifts.
Over 75 stuffed animals were delivered to clients of the County’s Meals on Wheels program along with a card and a candy cane. Bateman Foods driver Isidoro Garcia received plenty of smiles, hugs and even a few tears in return for this special delivery.
“This is a particularly wonderful program because it’s all about seniors helping other seniors in their community,” Grady Tarbutton of Washoe County Senior Services said. “For a homebound senior, even the smallest gesture of caring goes a long way.”
June Maxwell of Sun Valley received a stuffed bear through the program. “I adore it,” Maxwell said. “This was so much fun I’ll remember it always.”
Helping Washoe County Seniors remain independent and at home, where they want to be, is an important part of the mission of Washoe County’s Department of Senior Services. To learn more about senior programs and services offered by the County, call (775) 328-2575 or visit the Senior Services Department page at www.washoeocounty.us
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Over 800 area seniors received gifts through the Be a Santa to a Senior program sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care. Gifts were donated by hundreds of holiday shoppers who picked up requests from gift trees inside local Walmart stores.
“The response has been wonderful and heartwarming,” Allen Ward of Home Instead Senior Care said. “For seniors, the emotional value of just being remembered during a time like this is as important as the gift itself.”
Ward noted that many of the seniors have requested basic necessities as gifts this year. Items such as shampoo, Kleenex, make-up and toiletries are among the most popular.
“The nature of these requests shows how hard this economy has been on people,” Washoe County Senior Services Director Grady Tarbutton said. “They are asking only for what they really need. The kind of things many of us can take for granted.”
Home Instead sponsors the Be a Santa to a Senior program on a national level. The local effort received names from over 25 different organizations throughout Reno, Sparks, and Carson City.
In Sun Valley, seniors who are regulars at Washoe County’s Sun Valley Senior Center wanted to do something to help homebound seniors in the community so they collected stuffed animals to deliver as Christmas week gifts.
Over 75 stuffed animals were delivered to clients of the County’s Meals on Wheels program along with a card and a candy cane. Bateman Foods driver Isidoro Garcia received plenty of smiles, hugs and even a few tears in return for this special delivery.
“This is a particularly wonderful program because it’s all about seniors helping other seniors in their community,” Grady Tarbutton of Washoe County Senior Services said. “For a homebound senior, even the smallest gesture of caring goes a long way.”
June Maxwell of Sun Valley received a stuffed bear through the program. “I adore it,” Maxwell said. “This was so much fun I’ll remember it always.”
Helping Washoe County Seniors remain independent and at home, where they want to be, is an important part of the mission of Washoe County’s Department of Senior Services. To learn more about senior programs and services offered by the County, call (775) 328-2575 or visit the Senior Services Department page at www.washoeocounty.us
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