There’s so much joy this time of year, as we shop and wrap and plan for festive get-togethers. But for those who are homebound or have no relatives or family is far away, this can be a lonely time. Two local programs are ensuring that seniors feel loved and have gifts to open this Christmas season.

Both MAC (Maintaining Active Citizens) of Salisbury and Home Instead of Berlin have assembled gift lists for seniors and they depend on the community to help them make the holidays a little brighter for our older population.

Valerie Wagner, MAC’s project director for the Adopt a Grandparent program, said they have 259 seniors to help this year. “Any program that we have at MAC that offers services can turn in a client who is in need,” she explained. For those interested in buying gifts, MAC will provide a first name, a last initial and a small wish list. Community members can then shop from the list, and add extras if desired. (See the inset for ideas.) 

Gifts should all be wrapped or put in a gift bag and delivered to MAC by Dec. 12 so they can be distributed in time for the holiday. Some seniors like to open them right away, while others will save them until Christmas.

“We have clients that maybe the only thing they might get is this,” Wagner explained. “Some may save it until Christmas and open it that day.” Wagner, in her 27^th year at MAC, took over directing the program in 2009, but Adopt a Grandparent has been a tradition every Christmas season for probably 30 years. 

MAC’s mission is to “help older adults live with dignity and thrive in their homes and community.” Helping make the holidays a little happier is a wonderful way to us to partner with MAC.

The community is extremely generous, she said. Employees of Mountaire Farms have already requested the names of 100 seniors to help. If you’d like to a “adopt” a senior, contact Wagner at 410-742-0505, ext. 112, or at vwagner@macinc.org and she’ll send you a name right away. 

“Be a Santa to a Senior” is another gift program to bring cheer to our older population. Home Instead, a national company but individually owned and operated, provides non-medical senior care in the tri-county area to help seniors stay in their homes. Crystal Heiser, home care consultant and resource broker for Home Instead, explained that they receive names from local senior care agencies. MAC, for example, forwarded names of Meals on Wheels clients who would like to be recipients. 

 Home Instead has placed Christmas trees around the community filled with ornaments of names and gift ideas. Look for the trees at all locations of Apple Discount Drugs, Ocean Pines Community Center and the Delmarva Shorebirds stadium. In-house trees have been placed at Salisbury University, Wor-Wic Community College, Avery Hall Insurance Group and Worcester County Government building for employees to participate.

Heiser said they will probably deliver 800 gifts, up from 750 last year, to seniors because the need is so great. Some of the gift requests are surprising, she said, such as one by a lady who only asked for cat treats, or the only wishes are for cleaning supplies or bath towels.

“You’d be shocked at what people ask for,” she said. “We never really know who we are reaching,” but through Be a Santa to a Senior, many needs can be met. A person might be recently widowed, or be on a very limited income; everyone can benefit from extra care.

Pick up an ornament soon from one of the trees, and return the gift wrapped with the tag to the same location between Dec. 9 – 13^th. Staff from Atlantic Portable X-ray have volunteered to help with picking up gifts and taking them to the various agencies, so they can make their way to recipients in time for Christmas. 

Thank you for helping, Delmarva! I’m participating in memory of my parents. I’ll be buying gifts for Isiah, who especially likes the Commandeers, and a few presents from the MAC suggestions.
Happy Holidays!