TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — It's the most wonderful time of the year and Home Instead Senior Care is once again offering the Big Bend Area a chance to spread joy to local seniors.

According to a press release, the Be a Santa to a Senior program is designed so that community members can help lift the spirits of senior citizens through a special holiday gift.

Since the program’s launch in 2003, the Be a Santa to a Senior program has mobilized more than 60,000 volunteers, provided approximately 1.2 million gifts and brightened the season for more than 700,000 deserving seniors nationwide.

“The Be a Santa to a Senior program is all about including seniors in the joy of the holiday season,” said Scott Harrell, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Tallahassee. “A simple gift shows them they are a loved and vital member of our community.”

The Home Instead Senior Care office serves Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson and Wakulla counties and have partnered with area businesses and organizations to help with gift collection and distribution.

To help, visit one of the participating locations listed below and look for the Be a Santa to a Senior tree on display from November 12 to December 16.

Each tree will be decorated with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and gift suggestions.

Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it to the store with the ornament attached. There’s no need to worry about wrapping — community volunteers and program partners will wrap and deliver the gifts to local seniors in time for the holidays.

“While it may seem like a small act of kindness, it can really make a difference for someone this holiday season,” said Harrell. “Watching seniors open the gifts they received through Be a Santa to a Senior and seeing the smiles and appreciation on their faces is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.”

Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations:



Super Walmart, 5500 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312

Talquin Electric, 1607 West Jefferson Street, Quincy, FL 32351

Talquin Electric, 4808 Portal Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Talquin Electric, 6724 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312

Talquin Electric, 681 Wakulla Aran Road, Crawfordville, FL 32327

Tapestry Senior Living, 3080 Walden Road, Tallahassee, FL 32317

For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call (850) 297-1897.

For more information about how you can help seniors in your community, visit imreadytocare.com.