Salvation Army Nanaimo is looking for a few good people to deliver holiday cheer to the home-bound this Christmas.
The Christmas Dinner for Shut-ins program sees volunteers bringing dinner and gifts to seniors and shut-ins on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, and Leah Howroyd, Salvation Army Nanaimo program manager, wants to raise awareness, as not all seniors are on the internet or social media.
“We connect with seniors in the community that are going to be alone for Christmas, or are unable to get out and about and attend a Christmas meal, for isolated, shut-in seniors basically,” said Howroyd. “We deliver meals and Christmas gifts … if somebody knows of a senior in particular, or somebody in their family that’s going to be home alone on Christmas, unable to get out, they can sign up through us and we can get that to them.”
Howroyd also said gift item or money donations are also being accepted, as well as assistance with gift wrapping. Salvation Army Nanaimo sees anywhere from 70-150 requests, she said.
“I could use some wrappers and also little donations because basically, I’m just putting together a bunch of little things that I think they would like,” said Howroyd. “We don’t have very much of a budget to purchase those things … it could also be items that you think a senior would like for Christmas. Sometimes it’s just cozy socks or a new book.”
Delivery people are also sought, said Howroyd, but must be available Dec. 24 between 12-4 p.m. and have a vehicle.
For more information on becoming a volunteer driver, or to register someone for a Christmas dinner, contact Howroyd by e-mail at leah_howroyd@sananaimo.org, or by calling 250-824-0197.
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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