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Orangeville Christmas Hamper Program targets area seniors

December 6, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

With the Christmas season upon us, many toy and food drives help give to children and families in need. But what about the seniors?

Tracy Haworth, founder of the Senior’s Santa Christmas Hampers Program, has them covered. Now having run for nine seasons, the program is continuing its efforts to put a smile on every senior’s face and spread some holiday cheer. If you stuff a stocking, challenge someone else to ensure every senior is not forgotten on Christmas, no matter who or what they have.

“It started with a dream, and that’s the absolute truth,” Ms. Haworth told the Citizen. “I woke up at 4:00 in the morning, and I was sitting up going ‘what about the seniors?’ I thought ‘nobody is going to ask that anymore, I’m going to take care of this’.”

That dream has become a reality, growing every year. In their first year, they were able to collect enough items for 200 seniors, and this year’s goal is for over 1,000. “They are always the ones to me, who are forgotten.”

They will be accepting donations until Saturday, Dec. 15. The stockings will be delivered to seniors throughout the County’s centres, homes, facilities, and senior services. This includes Bethsaida Retirement Home, Avalon Care Centre, Dufferin Community Living, Headwaters hospital (Christmas E Wing), Mental Health Association of Dufferin County, Meals on Wheels, Dufferin Oaks and Shelburne Residence.

Ms. Haworth said almost any item could be donated, including socks, hats, sweets and treats, hand lotion, small stuffed animals, and magazines. “Anything that you and I use. They’re no different from us.”

She added she is extremely grateful for the support from the community. “Orangeville and Dufferin County have never let me down, they’ve believed in me and trusted in me. I need them to do the same thing this year.”

For more information, and to find out drop off locations and times, visit www.seniorsanta.ca.

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