Santa For Seniors is back, to help launch the Christmas season and the Christmas spirit in Creston.
For several years in a row, Tigz Designs in Creston has delivered Christmas gift bags to the residents of Swan Valley Lodge with their holiday fundraiser Santa for Seniors. Each gift bag is filled with a variety of edible treats and other gifts.
Lori and Bill Cameron of Tigz Designs are inviting the public to pick a tag from the Christmas tree at their store at 1013 Canyon Street and pick up a gift tag for an individual, donating $20, $25 or $30 per tag toward a senior’s gift bag. They will be delivered to Swan Valley Lodge in time for their Christmas Party. The Christmas gift bags will be delivered to Swan Valley Lodge on Dec. 20.
“Back before we started this event, we were looking for some way we could help folks in the community at Christmas time that for one reason or another didn’t have family around or feeling alone during the Holidays,” said Lori. “We were made aware that some folks at Swan Valley Lodge didn’t have family here in town, or even some that didn’t have family at all. So, we stepped right up to fix that – as it was just the kind of thing we wanted to help with.”
The Camerons start the Santa for Seniors shopping early in the year, making sure there are specific goodies and gifts that will be a good fit for them.
Then in the Fall they get together or correspond with the Program Coordinator at Swan Valley Lodge and get a list of all the residents there, along with any allergies, food restrictions and special gift ideas they might like. The Program Coordinator works along with the dietician to provide the information on any special foods and such.
The next business day after Remembrance Day, the Camerons have the Christmas Tree up in the shop with some of the tags with the first name (and last initial) for people to stop by and pick from – there are about 90 tags.
For each tag that is picked, a donation of $20, $25 or $30 is made. Donors can write a note to the person on the tag if they like.
“As the tags are picked, we make up gift bags from the information provided by Swan Valley Lodge,” Lori said. “We bring in a lot of choices in snacks, sweets, stuffies and Christmas treats along with special requested items.
“Once all the tags are sold, Bill and I double check to make sure everyone has a gift and that they are all in order for the staff – plus, we supply them with extra Christmas bags in case someone new arrives. If not, they can use it for their Christmas party. “
For the past eight years, the community has really responded to Santa for Seniors, and supported the initiative in the true spirit of Christmas.
“Each year this community has amazed us with their generosity in helping with this event,” Lori said. “We couldn’t do it without each and every one involved. The staff at Swan Valley Lodge, the advertising from CV Advance and Juice FM and all the lovely people stopping by to purchase a gift tag – we have so many people to thank for making Christmas special for so many people.”