About five years ago, Katie Gilligan of Timeless Harmony Salon & Spa started Santa to a Senior to help bring holiday cheer to Eagle Terrace Long-Term Care Home in Newmarket.
Gilligan would deliver gifts from the community to the seniors to put a smile on their face and help make their holiday season special.
Last year, Eco Guardian Inc. in Newmarket partnered with Gilligan to expand the initiative and help bring gifts to the seniors of MacKenzie Place Long-Term Care Home.
This year, Gilligan has passed the baton to Eco Guardian, who will be bringing over 100 senior residents to both homes gifts in an effort to spread the holiday spirit and do what they can for those who may not have someone giving them a gift this year.
“They might not get gifts or even see their family members over the holidays,” said Lauren Davie, manager of client relations at Eco Guardian. “We’re spreading some holiday cheer and bringing some smiles. It feels so good to give back and they’re so appreciative.”
After partnering with Gilligan last year to expand to a second long-term care home, Eco Guardian loved the experience so much that they couldn’t pass on the opportunity to take on both homes this year.
“We felt it was super important to support both homes,” said Davie. “We feel it’s a great cause and we really enjoy it. It’s such an amazing program and we wanted to keep Katie’s legacy going. We’re continuing this in her honour.”
As part of Santa to a Senior, Eco Guardian receives a list of each senior’s name at the two homes and a gift they’d like to receive this holiday season. Then, the community can come by and purchase the gift for them and Eco Guardian will deliver them.
“They’re all of our parents and they’ve done so much for the community,” said Nisha Abrol, owner of Eco Guardian. “This is just a little gesture from us to say thank you for everything they’ve done.”
To make the experience even more memorable for the seniors this year, Eco Guardian will be coming with Santa to present the gifts. Eco Guardian will also be donating a holiday meal and some extra gifts to top it all up for each senior that the long-term care homes have asked for.
With COVID impacting the initiative over the last few years, Davie says Eco Guardian wants to elevate the experience by bringing in Santa and spending time with the seniors to make it more engaging.
“We’re excited to meet them in person,” she said. “It’s really big to us this year that we’re able to actually be able to talk to them and get to know them on a personal level. That makes this extra special this year.”
With the support of the community, Eco Guardian is hoping to continue Santa to a Senior each holiday season and envisions being able to expand its effort further in the following years.
“As our company grows, we want to grow in the community and give back more,” said Davie.
Those wishing to donate a gift to the initiative can visit the office and take a name from the Christmas tree and purchase a gift to put under the tree. All purchased gifts must be in bags and not wrapped to abide by the long-term care home rules.
Eco Guardian, 100 Harry Walker Pkwy. N., will be collecting gifts from Nov. 22 to Dec. 15 and is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
