Photo Ed Halverson

For the third year in a row some Queens county seniors can look forward to a surprise in their stocking.

Santa for Seniors gives people the opportunity to donate gifts anonymously to seniors living in Queens.

Organizer Kendra Shot says over that time, the program has grown from supplying 250 presents in the first year to providing over 400 seniors with gifts this Christmas.

Shot says about 60% of the people on her list are returning seniors but ensuring those numbers are accurate can be difficult.

“Make sure that everybody that’s on my list is looked after and are still in their residence. But a lot of them have passed on, a lot of them have been moved to homes. It’s challenging but I don’t want anyone to go without.”

Donors can sponsor a senior from an anonymous list posted on the Seniors for Santa Facebook page.

Traditionally, gifts would include items such as toiletries, sweets and warm clothes but this year Shot has seen a drastic increase in requests for gas and grocery gift cards.

“A lot of the seniors are choosing between heat and food so the gift cards actually, are going to help tremendously.”

Shot says the pandemic has been particularly hard on senior’s pocketbooks.

“I’ve had people ask for warming blankets, little electric blanket throws for their couch so they don’t have to turn their heat up. It breaks my heart.”

Shot says once again, the people of Queens have opened their hearts and all but 50 or so seniors have been adopted.

The last day to sponsor a senior is Friday.

Gifts can be left at Route 3 Cellar Tap Room and Grill or at the Liverpool offices of Belliveau Veinotte chartered accountants.

Shot says she and a team of volunteers will distribute the present between December 20 and 23.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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Hunter and Kassidy Lowe deliver Santa for Seniors gifts last Christmas. Photo: Lindsay Lowe

A program that surprises seniors at Christmas is returning this year.

Santa for Seniors offers the opportunity for people to anonymously nominate seniors living in North and South Queens to receive a present over Christmas.

Organizer Kendra Shot posts the seniors who have been nominated on the Santa for Seniors Queens County Facebook page. She identifies them only by number and their gender when creating a wish list of a few items for each nominee.

Shot got the idea after hearing about a similar program being operated in Bridgewater and Halifax.

“So it snowballed from there and we started it here and it’s pretty popular,” said Shot.

People can choose which senior they wish to adopt by commenting on the post or by contacting her directly.

Shot said every recipient reacts differently to receiving anonymous presents and sometimes their pride prevents them from accepting the gifts. But once it’s explained that someone thought enough to want to give them a present, it is warmly received.

“But the majority of people basically stood there with tears in their eyes or crying because somebody actually thought of them,” said Shot. “And where so many are living alone, God knows what Christmas is going to be like this year.”

Shot said the idea took off last year with 205 seniors being adopted to receive gifts. This year the group is tracking to smash through that total with over 300 names on her list already.

The wish lists generally ask for toiletries, chocolates, warm clothing and gift cards but Shot said when putting the gift bags together, most people go above and beyond what is expected.

“Everybody goes overboard, which is fine, but it feels good. I think that is the main point,” said Shot. “People are doing it because it makes them feel good that they are helping somebody else as well.”

Shot is taking precautions with COVID-19. Presents are dropped off at Route 3 cellar and then quarantined before being delivered by her team of eight volunteer elves between December 20 and 23.

To nominate a senior to be adopted or to adopt one yourself, follow this link.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson