When 4th grade Girl Scout troop 5865 had to design a community service project for Christmas, the troop immediately knew that they wanted to work with elderly folks. Luckily, one of the mothers knew about “Be a Santa to a Senior,” a project sponsored by the locally-based senior homecare company Home Instead that during the holidays brings Christmas presents and homemade holiday cards to homebound seniors.
“When we first talked to Home Instead they requested that we make 100 cards, but we knew we could do more and tasked the girls to do 900,” said Karen Baker, a parent of one of the girls in the troop.
Last year, the girls sang Christmas carols for the elderly, and the experience stuck with them. When they are finished making the cards this year, they are planning on continuing their tradition and will carol for the volunteers packing the presents as part of the “Be a Santa” project.
“I like doing crafty things a lot,” said 9-year-old Emily Zorn. “I like to write and draw and want to be an author when I grow up. I wonder if they are lonely there and our cards will make them smile.”
Home Instead has been heading the project for eight years. They identify seniors with a financial need and deliver presents the seniors request along with a homemade card.
“The people are nominated through their health care providers, volunteers, neighbors or because they are financially challenged,” said Farrah Benedict, General Manager of Home Instead. “There is a huge group of people who are homebound and socially isolated. They ask for basic stuff like blankets, robes or a pharmacy or grocery gift card. For some of these people it is not common to get a gift. And it’s not uncommon for us to see tears.”
Home Instead recruits safe community volunteers to hand out the presents along with the cards.
“It’s so funny – they love the gifts and get emotional about the cards,” said Benedict. “That handmade thing from a younger person is very sentimental.”
The troop will not be making the cards by themselves. To earn their “Journey Badge – An agent of change,” a badge that goes towards their bronze award, they need to create an event that involves the community.
To work towards the badge, the troop will meet one more time to make cards and will have a booth at the Alta Vista Holiday fair on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to involve the community in the card making process.
“I made a lot of cards during Thanksgiving break,” said 9-year-old Brianna Baker. “I think they are going to like them a lot. I can’t wait until we are finished and go Christmas caroling.”
On Monday, the girls gathered around a table filled with paper, glue, scissors and stickers, chatting and stacking up the cards in piles under and around the crafting supplies. “Can I say, “Have an excellent holiday”?” one of the girls asked the troop leader.
“I’m doing it to brighten their day,” said 9-year-old Julia Utley, “Maybe they don’t get to see their family for Christmas. I have a great grandma who is 97 and whenever I call her she fills with joy. I hope others will feel that way when they get our cards.”
9-year-old Ella Son cut and glued snowmen onto a red card with a bold “Merry Christmas” drawn on the front. “I hope they make them feel like somebody cares about them,” said Son.
Benedict believes that the cards often mean more to the seniors than the presents, and the kind words and crafty cards will help many of them get through a holiday season that can sometimes be filled with loneliness. Often times after the holiday, according to Benedict, Home Instead will get calls from the seniors asking about the people who made the cards, wanting to thank them for their kindness.
“During the holiday season we think so much about the kids,” said Benedict. “But there are so many people who helped build the community who are forgotten.”
For more information on the program and to find a donation location, visit www.beasantatoasenior.com or to volunteer, call 310-542-0563.
