Next to the pharmacy counter, senior wishes wait for a Santa

Brad Harper | Montgomery Advertiser

In front of rows of prescription medication, a small tree stands filled with Christmas wishes. One asks for a warm lap blanket and some toiletries. Another asks for towels and soap.

They’re wishes from local senior citizens who don’t have money or visitors for Christmas, said Brandon Taylor of Home Instead Senior Care. Home Instead partners with other senior groups and businesses to help fill those wishes.

Each Adams Drugs location across the Montgomery area has one of the trees near the pharmacy check-out area. Through December 14, anyone can take a tag, buy the gift and return it to the drug store with the tag attached.

Volunteers and other partners will wrap the gifts and make sure they get delivered.

It’s part of a program called Be a Santa to a Senior that’s been around since 2003. “A simple gift shows them they are a loved and vital member of our community,” Home Instead owner Bill Purnell said.

If all the wishes are claimed from a tree before the December 14 deadline, it will get re-stocked with wishes from more seniors. You can see a tree and claim a wish at one of the following Adams Drugs locations:

934 Adams Avenue

7200 Copperfield Drive

9168 Eastchase Parkway

3016 McGehee Road

35 Mitchell Drive

1633 Perry Hill Road

8189 Vaughn Road

185 Ashton Plaza Street in Millbrook

103 S. Memorial Drive in Prattville

5268 US 231 in Wetumpka

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brad Harper at bharper1@gannett.com.