The trees are up! As described by a senior who has received a gift from us, the Be a Santa to a Senior® program “shows there are angels on earth!” That is a perfect description and since there are trees set up all over Minneapolis, it is easy for you to be one of those “angels”.
Recently, WCCO 4 News caught up with Home Instead Minneapolis’ John Stuck to talk about the program. Watch this short video that was featured on their local news program with Frank Vascellaro and Amelia Santaniello and learn how easy it is to participate!
About the Campaign
The trees will be set up on November 11th. Here’s how the program works. The Home Instead Senior Care® network partners with local non-profit and community organizations. Together they identify seniors who perhaps live alone, do not have family members nearby, or are experiencing financial difficulties. The program targets many seniors who otherwise might not receive gifts or visits from family during the holidays. 
Home Instead Minneapolis then works with local businesses and retail stores that are willing to help by placing trees and ornaments within their various locations. The involvement from busy stores gives the program visibility and provides a convenient way for shoppers to volunteer their assistance during the busy holiday season.
Join the Campaign
The Be a Santa to a Senior® campaign is all about helping seniors who are alone or in need. The campaign, which first launched in 2003 by our parent organization, helps seniors get a little TLC during the holidays. The Minneapolis office of the Home Instead Senior Care® network, the world’s largest provider of non-medical in-home care and companionship services for older adults, has partnered with local non-profits groups such as East Side Neighborhood Services in Minneapolis, Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, Meals on Wheels and several nursing homes and low income housing to provide gifts and companionship to seniors who otherwise might not receive either this holiday season. What began with just one nursing home has since grown into a movement. Now you can help brighten a senior’s life too. Look for the trees beginning November 11th! 
How to Participate
Here’s how it works:
- Head to any of the following locations:
- Lunds & Byerly’s Pharmacy, 25 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis
- Lunds & Byerly’s Pharmacy, 13081 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
- Lunds & Byerly’s Pharmacy, 3777 Park Center Blvd., St. Louis Park
- Lunds & Byerly’s Pharmacy, 1151 Wayzata Boulevard E, Wayzata
- Starbucks, 16725 County Road 24, Plymouth, MN
- Starbucks, 7802 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN
- Home Instead Senior Care of MPLS, 9684 63rd Ave N., Maple Grove, MN 55369
Also, Home Instead Minneapolis is happy to announce a partnership with several local fire stations. Relief associations, retired and off-duty firefighters from Golden Valley, Minneapolis, St Louis Park, Plymouth and Hopkins are all assisting the program by picking up and storing the gifts. When the gifts are all collected they will help us deliver the gifts to several of the nursing homes, assisted living and senior apartment facilities in and around the Minneapolis area. THANK YOU to the Golden Valley Fire Family, Plymouth, Minneapolis, Hopkins and St. Louis Park fire stations and relief associations for being involved with our Be a Santa to a Senior® campaign! The members of these stations, along with retired members, spouses and family members, are partnering with us and doing this on their own time.
- Locate the Christmas trees inside the establishment and choose any ornament tag with a senior’s name on it. You will find gift suggestions for the senior printed on the ornament.
- Purchase the item(s) listed, put the item in a gift bag, return to the store with the ornament and deliver the gift to a store employee.
Since its inception, the Be a Santa to a Senior® campaign has attracted nearly 60,000 volunteers throughout North America, and has provided 1.2 million gifts to over 700,000 seniors who are in need of assistance or companionship. Now you can join the movement and help a senior in your Minnesota community.
Need Further Information?
The Be a Santa to a Senior website, provides a locator tool that enables you to find a location by zip code.
Home Care MN and Senior Care Information in Minneapolis 