Seniors need Christmas and Santa Too

By Jessica Tuggle

jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY -
The growing number of seniors living on small, fixed incomes prompted
nonprofits to work together to give them a little holiday cheer.
The United Way of Indian River County and the Senior Resource Association, along with sponsor
Florida Eye Institute, are asking community members to donate enough unwrapped gifts to fill
a bus for needy seniors in the county.The "Santa for Seniors" holiday gift drive will run through Dec. 18, said Jennifer Jones, United Way director of workplace and corporate giving. This is the third year United Way has held the drive, Ms. Jones said. In 2007, 75 seniors were given care packages. In 2008, that number jumped to 250. This year's goal is 500 seniors, Ms. Jones said. Unwrapped gift donations can be made at any RBC Bank location or the United Way offices in downtown Vero Beach, but a special, one-day drop-off location will be at the Indian River Mall on Dec. 12. Residents can bring gift items, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the mall, just outside of Macy's, according to a press release. Some of the requested items include personal hygiene products, robes, pajamas, toilet bowl cleaner, sponges, non-perishable food, as well as traditional presents such as music, large print books or gift cards to grocery stores. Many of those who once worked hard to provide sweet Christmas memories for their families have now grown older and may be far away from the comfort of family, said Ms. Jones. "Some of my fondest childhood memories are being with my family during the holidays, especially my grandparents," she said. "This is something that you can do to give back to them. Sometimes they are the first to be forgotten at the holidays," Ms. Jones said.