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Date: 11/7/2023
AMHERST — The Amherst Council on Aging and the Senior Center are working to making sure the town’s older community members are not forgotten during the holiday season with their sponsorship of this year’s “Claus for a Cause.”
Senior Services Director Hayley Bolton said the program is looking to address loneliness among seniors in Amherst.
“It targets seniors who are homebound, who maybe lost a loved one recently or have some kind of medical condition and live alone or are isolated,” she said. “It’s really anyone who needs a dose of holiday cheer.”
Bolton acknowledged that the holidays can be an incredibly stressful and sad time for people.
“This is a way to remind people that we’re still thinking of them and looking out for them at the Senior Center,” she said.
Gift donations are being collected now through Dec. 8 with specific types of presents in mind.
During the collection period, the center is looking for is items like puzzle books, warm clothing, lotions as well as things like candy, cocoa and teas. Self-care items and niceties are greatly in demand.
The center, along with the Police and Fire departments, Town Hall and the Jones Library are all serving as drop off points for donations.
On Dec. 12, the center will host a drop-in day to prepare gift bags for distribution. During that same day there will be card making activities to allow greetings to go along with each bag.
Delivery of the gift bags will then begin on Dec. 18 for which, Bolton said, they are looking for drivers.
“We’re recruiting volunteers who might want to take a name or two and go out into the community and make connections with older adults,” she said.
While admitting that in the initial year of the program identifying people in need is challenging, Bolton said often the information is close by at the center.
“We look at who we’re working with on social work services, who is a volunteer that we know has gone through some turmoil in their life,” she said. “If we know somebody is going to spend the holidays alone, how can we make them feel better.”
Bolton said the goal in this first year is to put the plan into effect, get the word out and build from there.
“I draw a lot of influence at the Senior Center,” she said. “Anyone who participates in a program, who comes and meets with a staff person or who volunteers, that’s someone who we can talk to about this program and have them spread the word.”
Having taken part in a similar program in a previous position, Bolton remembers the reaction, how she felt and how it was received.
“One of the best things about this program is that it has a really simple premise, but it makes a really big impact,” she said. “It doesn’t really cost much to participate in if you’re a volunteer, but you can make a real difference in someone’s life, we kind of forget about the little things like just having someone to talk to around the holidays.”
Bolton said those interested in being part of “Claus for a Cause” can simply come to the Senior Center on Dec. 12 to help with preparation or those interested in driving and delivering the gifts can contact the center’s outreach coordinator Julia McFadzen at macfadzenj@amherstma.gov or 413-259-3038.