Seniors’ Economic Struggles Continue This Holiday;

Be a Santa to a Senior^®, the popular program that has delivered gifts to thousands of local needy seniors is being planned again this holiday season as older adults continue to struggle during tough economic times. Home Instead Senior Care has joined with local organizations and merchants to provide gifts and holiday cheer to seniors who otherwise might not receive either this holiday season.

“Many older adults continue to face a difficult economic climate, particularly those who live alone with no family nearby to help provide resources,” said Bob Vielee, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care in Clarks Summit. Seniors have faced a trying year amid the threat of Social Security payment delays as part of the debt-ceiling debate. What’s more, seniors have lost almost one-third (32 percent) of their buying power since 2000, according to the Annual Survey of Senior Costs from The Senior Citizens League (TSCL).

That’s where Be a Santa to a Senior can help. Before the holiday season, the participating local organizations, such as Meals on Wheels and Serving Seniors, Inc., identified needy and isolated seniors in the community and provided those names to Home Instead Senior Care. Christmas trees, which are up now through December 12^th, will feature ornaments with the first names of seniors and their gift requests. Trees will be located at:

· Abington Community Library, Clarks Summit

· Fitze’s Department Store, Tunkhannock

· Marshalls, Dickson City

· Peebles, Carbondale

· The Mall at Steamtown, Scranton

· Walgreen’s, S. Main Street, Scranton

Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, along with the ornament attached. “We hope holiday shoppers will open their hearts to those seniors who have given so much to make our community a better place,” Vielee said.

On Wednesday, December 14^th beginning at 10 a.m., Keystone College will host the annual Be a Santa to a Senior Gift Wrapping Party being held in Evans Hall on the college campus in La Plume. Community volunteers of all ages are invited to attend and help wrap gifts as well. Gifts will be delivered to each senior during the week of December 19^th.

For more information about the program, visit www.beasantatoasenior.com or contact Jessica Engel at 570-687-4755.