Home Instead Senior Care Minneapolis is proud to once again kick off the 2017 Be a Santa to a Senior® program! We have set up trees around the Minneapolis area to ensure seniors who are alone or in need receive a gift this holiday season. As once 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!” Join us in our movement once again this year to ensure seniors feel the love and be a part of our campaign.

This program targets seniors in our community who may not otherwise receive gifts or visits from family during the holidays and was first launched by our parent organization in 2003. Partnering with local non-profit and community organizations, Home Instead Senior Care Minneapolis identifies seniors who perhaps live alone, do not have family members nearby, or are experiencing financial difficulties and ensures they receive a little TLC during the holidays.

Home Instead Senior Care® network is the world’s largest provider of non-medical in-home care and companionship services for older adults. The Minneapolis, Minnesota Home Instead office has partnered with local non-profits such as East Side Neighborhood Services in Minneapolis, Meals on Wheels, as well as over 25 low income senior communities and nursing homes to offer gifts and companionship to seniors in need.

You can help us brighten a senior’s life too! Home Instead Minneapolis will set up the gift trees beginning November 10th in the local businesses and retail stores that are partnering with us. The participation of the busy retail stores allows for great visibility of the program and provides a convenient way for shoppers to be part of the gift giving during the holiday season. Here’s how it works:

Head to any of the following locations:

• Starbucks, 7802 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55427
• Starbucks, 5596 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55428
• Lunds & Byerlys Pharmacy, 1151 Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata, MN 55391
• Lunds & Byerlys Pharmacy, 55 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
• Lunds & Byerlys Pharmacy, 3777 Park Center Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
• Lunds & Byerlys Pharmacy, 12880 Elm Creek Blvd, Maple Grove, MN 55369
• Lunds & Byerlys Pharmacy, 13081 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305
• Lunds & Byerlys Pharmacy, 3455 Vicksburg Lane, Plymouth, MN 55447
• West Metro Fire Station #3, 4251 Xylon Avenue N, New Hope, MN 55428
• Home Instead Senior Care of Minneapolis,   9684 63^rd Ave N, Maple Grove, MN 55369

Locate the Christmas tree decorated with ornament tags within the store. Select any ornament tag where you will find a senior’s name as well as gift suggestions printed on the tag. The next steps are to purchase the item(s) listed, place them in a gift bag, return to the store where the ornament tag was selected and deliver the gift to a store employee. We would also be delighted to take any donations of money or gift cards to ensure each gift wish is filled. To ensure timely delivery of all gifts, please return donations to the store by December 9^th.

Since this amazing program began in 2003, there have been over 60,000 volunteers who have helped distribute over 1.2 million gifts to more than 700,000 deserving seniors nationwide. Join our movement and make a senior’s holiday special.

Home Instead Minneapolis is thrilled to partner with several local fire stations. Relief associations, retired and off-duty firefighters from Hopkins, Golden Valley, Wayzata, Minneapolis, New Hope and St. Louis Park fire stations are volunteering their time by picking up and storing the gifts. Once the gifts are all collected, they will also help deliver the gifts to the nursing homes, assisted living and senior apartment facilities in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. THANK YOU once again to the firefighters, retired members as well as spouses and family members for being involved with our Be a Santa to a Senior® campaign! We could not pull this off without you! We appreciate your partnership and your volunteer time.

At this time of year, there are so many gift programs aimed at children and families in need, but we can’t forget the seniors! Home Instead Senior Care Minneapolis understands there are many seniors in our local communities who have just as much need for a gift and companionship during the holidays, so join us and make a difference in the life of a senior!

For more information or to find a participating organization near you, visit the Be a Santa to a Senior® website and use the locator tool provided.