A program that ensures no senior is forgotten during the holiday season has kicked off in Burnaby.
Home Instead's "Be a Santa to a Senior" encourages local residents to give a special gift to older adults who might be alone during the winter.
"A simple gift can bring such joy to older adults who may not have loved ones to celebrate with," Burnaby and South Vancouver Home Instead office owner Harpreet Singh said in a release.
"Through 'Be a Santa to a Senior,' we can help them feel the holiday spirit."
To participate, shoppers can look for the tree at the Burnaby London Drugs near Metrotown (4970 Kingsway Ave.), and find the ornaments featuring the name and desired gift of an older adult.
Shoppers can buy the requested gift and return it in a gift bag to the same location with the ornament attached, which are available now until Dec. 8.
Gifts will be delivered by Home Instead and volunteers from the community.
"This program is so much more than gift-giving — it's about the special moments and joy shared between the older adults and the community around them," Singh added.
"There is nothing better than seeing the smile on an older adult's face when they open their gift."
Since the program started in 2003, "Be a Santa to a Senior" has provided around 2.2 million gifts delivered by more than 65,000 volunteers.
