Hundreds of seniors in Chilliwack are still needing to be "adopted" this Christmas.
The annual Adopt-A-Senior campaign is underway and donations of Christmas gifts are being sought for 1,000 seniors.
The local charitable organization pairs seniors with people in the community who then buy gifts for elderly residents. Each senior makes a list of their likes and dislikes, and then donors buy items specifically for their chosen senior.
All care homes in Chilliwack have been registered, plus several independent-living seniors have signed up. So far about 650 seniors have been adopted, but there are hundreds more on the list.
"We currently have approximately 350 seniors needing to be adopted," said Allyson McKenzie, executive director of the Chilliwack Adopt-A-Senior Foundation.
She's hoping more members of the community will step up and help bring Christmas to Chilliwack seniors, as the deadline to drop off items is at the end of the month.
Those who cannot commit to adopting a senior can still help by donating one or a few items. These items are added to any gift that is a bit "light" on items, or they're used to put together gifts for people who adopt a senior and are then unable to follow through with it.
"Last year we had approximately 50 no-shows. We understand that things happen or get overlooked, but we will not let any registered senior not receive a special gift bag of their wanted items," McKenzie said.
Anyone wishing to take part in Adopt-A-Senior can email chilliwackadoptasenior@outlook.com, and include their full name and the number of seniors they wish to adopt. The foundation will reply with the senior's info and more details.
People can then shop for items for their senior. All gifts are to be delivered to 6300 Tyson Rd. on Saturday, Nov. 30.
The program started back in 2020 during the pandemic. It was a way to bring Christmas to lonely seniors – most who live in care homes – who could not have visitors due to COVID-19 restrictions. In its inaugural year, more than 600 seniors were “adopted.”
This year, Chilliwack Adopt-A-Senior was incorporated as a non-profit, plus it is a registered charity with Canada Revenue Agency. Tax receipts can be issued to any donations that qualify.
For more, go to facebook.com/Chilliwackadoptasenior.
