WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — Home Instead Senior Care's gift drive is underway to help seniors feel the holiday spirit.

The annual event collects gifts across the state for seniors around the winter holidays

People can pick up a gift tag from a Christmas tree and fulfill a senior's wish list​. Gifts are being collected through Dec. 6

To find the closest donation location, search your ZIP code here

Nancy Foss is the program director and a community service representative at Home Instead Senior Care in Raleigh. She's been helping collect gifts for the Be a Santa to a Senior gift drive for more than a decade.

“Santa's job is to bring cheer to good girls and boys, and my job ... well everybody in the community's job, is we are bringing cheer to the seniors," Foss said.

One of her tasks is to drive around the Triangle to pick up gifts from drop-off locations. And she goes all out, wearing her own version of Santa's red suit. 

"I love wearing my hat because when people see me, they kind of do a double take, you know?" Foss said.

She starts prepping for this program months ahead. Before this gig, she was an elementary school teacher.

“Kids are amazing, but so are seniors, and I think they are just a forgotten group of people. People don't think that they still are vital and that they still have stories to tell, and they do," Foss said.

She wraps and organizes all the gifts at her office, which she calls The North Pole.

On Dec. 9, guests are welcome to help wrap the gifts at a wrapping party.

Home Instead Senior Care is taking gift donations through Dec. 6. You can find your closest donation location by searching your ZIP code on the organization's website.