From The Tribune staff reports
JEFFERSON COUNTY — For the fourth consecutive year, Meals on Wheels is teaming up with Home Instead Senior Care to deliver Christmas gifts to homebound seniors in Jefferson County through Be a Santa to a Senior. The program is taking extra steps this year due to the increased isolation and loneliness the pandemic has brought.
For the first time in the program’s 17-year history, Home Instead is teaming up with Amazon Business to create a contactless gift-giving experience for volunteers and recipients. According to an announcement from United Way of Central Alabama, the new Amazon Business collaboration will provide the same holiday cheer to local seniors while also prioritizing the safety and wellness of all who are involved.
“The Be a Santa to a Senior program brings so much joy to seniors in our community,” said Dan Pahos, owner of the Birmingham Home Instead franchise. “We’ve all felt isolated at some point during the pandemic, but seniors are especially at risk of feeling isolated and a simple gift can show them that we are thinking of them. And that’s more important this year than ever.”
This year, 500 seniors in the Meals on Wheels program will receive gifts such as gloves, calendars, blankets, combs, puzzles, and bath towels. For many clients, this will be the only gift they receive this holiday season.
Meals on Wheels Director, Becky Wright, said, “The Meals on Wheels team looks forward to Santa to a Senior all year long. It’s one of our favorite partnerships, and we are very thankful for Home Instead.”
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 205-822-1915.
