Program gathers goodies, necessary supplies
GILROY
Sheila Foote wants to make sure good friend Vera Hayden stays warm this winter when she can’t pay her heating bill.
The 74-year-old mother of three would also like to keep Hayden, also 74, supplied with the yarn she uses to knit blankets and sweaters for babies.
As president of the independent living facility Sunset Gardens residents’ association, Foote takes her responsibilities seriously.
She knows the ins and outs of the other 84 residents’ lives, their needs and their wants, their likes and dislikes.
It’s Foote’s job to collect donations and distribute them to the residents year-round, but sometimes those donations come from her.
“Well, when my friend couldn’t afford to keep her heat on, she was freezing to death. I had this electric blanket I’d gotten as a gift, and I gave it to her to keep warm,” Foote said, seated inside her cosy room at the center.
Foote and the other residents will be participating in the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program this year, sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, a home care and companionship service for seniors, and Meals on Wheels.
Brian Jackson, the Home Instead Senior Care franchise owner, said the idea behind the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program grew out of the realization that though the holiday focus is on children, there are older adults who would like to be remembered and have needs met as well.
“Everywhere you go, you see Toys for Tots, or opportunities to help families, or giving trees for children, and that’s a wonderful thing,” he said.
“But there are many in the community who are older, who have no family around, who also could use a portion of that holiday spirit.”
Though Foote’s daughter is not far away, in Sunnyvale, and visits her mother every weekend, Foote said she knows others who have no one close by, no one to come and see if they have what they need.
“Just like my friend with the blanket, there are some here who need very basic things, and though I try to collect as many donations as I can, there is always something more they need,” she said.
“Blankets and throws, warm things, are very good this time of the year.”
Jackson said before this year, there were not many South County donors for the program, so some donations from the north end of the county were distributed to seniors in Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy.
This year, he said, he would like to think South County would take advantage of the opportunity to donate.
The seniors don’t want elaborate gifts for the holidays, Foote said.
They are pleased with simple things.
A warm pair of gloves, or a hat and scarf. Both men and women need these, she added.
Grocery store gift cards are very much appreciated, she said, as are vouchers for taxis and gift certificates for area restaurants.
When asked if the Sunset Gardens residents often eat at restaurants, Foote said, “They sure would like to go out to eat, and they could if they had a gift certificate.”
The “Be a Santa to a Senior” program will serve seniors identified by Home Instead Senior Care and Meals on Wheels.
Gifts requested by seniors are typically necessities, things such as blankets, slippers, postage stamps, grocery gift cards.
Gifts for the seniors will be collected at the Gilroy office, 8380 Church St., suite L.
For more information, contact the office at 408-370-6360.
