RALEIGH -- It's never too early to start planning for the holidays, especially when you're putting others at the forefront of your mind

For more than 10 years, Home Instead Senior Care has partnered with North Carolina businesses and members of the community to help gather gifts to give to seniors in our communities in need. 

Nancy Foss says many of those aging adults no longer have family or finances, to purchase the essentials they need, never the less Christmas present they want. 

Nationwide, since 2003, more 60,000 volunteers have helped distribute some 2 million gifts to hundreds of thousands of seniors over the holidays.

HOW IT WORKS

Home Instead Senior Care partners with local nonprofit and community organizations to identify seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season. The company then works with local businesses and retail stores to help facilitate the purchase and distribution of gifts by placing trees and ornaments within their various locations. Each senior’s gift requests are written on a “Be a Santa to a Senior” bulb.  Volunteers are needed to collect, wrap and deliver gifts. 

Trees with ornaments containing senior wish lists go up at around 22 retail stores and offices the week of Oct. 30 – Nov. 3.  All locations are available on the beasantatoasenior.com.

A tree decorating party with Mr. and Mrs. Claus is set to take place at Morningside of Raleigh on Nov. 7 at 10 a.m.  All gifts must be purchased and returned to one of the retail stores no later than Dec. 4. The wrapping party is Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. at the Renaissance Center in Wake Forest.