(WNY News Now) More than 200 Chautauqua County seniors will receive more than just presents and food on December 12; they will also receive happiness, company, and a reminder that they are not forgotten throughout the holiday season.
Mayville, New York On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services and its community partners will deliver Christmas gift bags and lunches to more than 200 lonely seniors throughout the county, marking the culmination of a season of kindness and hard labor.
Organizations and volunteers have been working together over the past month to gather, sift, and package donations for the yearly Santa for Seniors campaign. Delivering the holiday cheer straight to the homes of seniors in need is the program’s last and most fulfilling phase.
According to Dana Corwin, Director of the Office for Aging Services, this initiative is about much more than the gifts. It’s about establishing a connection with elderly people who might feel overlooked around the holidays, spending time with them, and letting them know they are valued members of our community. It is a credit to the extraordinary generosity and commitment of our volunteers and partners to see this campaign come together every year.
County staff, neighborhood church organizations, and volunteers of all ages will start making deliveries on Thursday morning, personally delivering meals and gift bags to the recipients. In addition to providing for basic necessities, these deliveries uplift people’s spirits by fostering a sense of community and Christmas magic.
An enormous amount of work has gone into getting ready for this day. The effort to collect donations, select items, and prepare meals has been spearheaded by members of the community, notably the Rev. J. Paul Womack Christmas Basket Fund at Hurlbut Memorial Community United Methodist Church and The First Baptist Church of Mayville.
Without the kindness and cooperation of so many, this initiative would not have been able to succeed, Corwin said. We are grateful to all of the volunteers, donors, and participating organizations for capturing the spirit of the season.
Every thoughtfully chosen gift bag contains a variety of useful goods, seasonal sweets, and freshly prepared meals. Seniors who might otherwise spend the holidays alone find that deliveries offer a moment of personal interaction.
Thanks to the hard work of volunteers who are making sure that every senior on the list gets a little holiday cheer, this year’s Santa for Seniors campaign is centered at First Baptist Church in Mayville, where on delivery day, the gifts will start their journey throughout Chautauqua County. The program’s core principle—community members banding together to make the season brighter for those in need—is embodied in this group effort.
Churchgoers, local government workers, and multigenerational families are among those spreading joy, and everyone is welcome to join in. Families tend to bond around giving back to the community, making this shared experience a treasured tradition.
In order to reach even more lives, Santa for Seniors has expanded throughout the years to include over 30 new participants each year. The celebration this year comes after weeks of community-driven activities, such as classes for preparing care packages and sorting donations.
Visit chqgov.com/office-aging or follow the Office for Aging Services on Facebook to find out more about the Office for Aging Services and the Santa for Seniors program.
Concerning the Chautauqua County Aging Services Office The Office for Aging Services, led by Interim Director Dana Corwin, offers vital services and programs to seniors and their families, promoting their well-being, independence, and health in a secure setting. For more information or help, go to chqgov.com/office-aging.