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'Be a Santa to a Senior' Program Returns to SU

Be a Santa
From left: Iva Riggin, SU Conference Planning; Leslie Zimmerman, Home Instead Senior Care; Lesley Staffeld, SU conference services director; and Marvin Pyles, SU vice president of administration and finance.

SALISBURY, MD---The holidays are a merry time for many. For seniors who are alone or financially challenged, however, December can be a difficult time.

Each year, Home Instead Senior Care delivers holiday cheer to many in these situations through its “Be a Santa to a Senior” program. SU’s Conference Planning Office again brings the initiative to campus this year.

From November 5-December 13, those wishing to participate may select a paper ornament from the holiday trees hosted by Administration and Finance offices throughout campus, including SU Police, Physical Plant, Information Technology, Human Resources, Financial Services, and Conference Planning and Facilities Reservations.

Each ornament contains the first name of a senior and a holiday wish list item. Participants are asked to return that item, wrapped, to the Conference Planning Office (Commons Room 200) or to the office from which they picked up their ornament by Friday morning, December 14. Home Instead and its volunteers deliver the gifts December 17-19.

Seniors are recommended for the program by MAC, the Area Agency on Aging; SHORE UP! – Shady Pines Adult Medical Day Care; Salisbury Urban Ministries; Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; the Worcester County Commission on Aging; and the Worcester County Health Department.

Off-campus businesses and organizations participating in the program include the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Wor-Wic Community College, Apple Discount Drugs, the Ocean Pines Community Center, Snow Hill Pharmacy and Worcester County Government Center.

For more information call the Conference Planning Office at 410-543-6172 or email Lesley Staffeldt at lastaffeldt@salisbury.edu.