For the past 10 years, one Barrie-based charity has been a bit like a fairy godmother to area seniors.
The Senior Wish Association, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Nov. 17, strives to ensure that seniors living in the community feel “seen” and feel appreciated and loved. They do so through a variety of initiatives such as wish granting, companionship, recreational activities, intergenerational programs and educational opportunities for youth and families.
With Christmas just around the corner, the organization is collecting donations and creating as many 'Bags of Love' as possible for local seniors who don’t have loved ones nearby to spend the holidays with, said chairperson Pat Imrie.
In the past, volunteers would go to local long-term care homes to deliver the bags; however, due to pandemic restrictions, this year they’re changing how they are doing things.
“These Bags of Love… will be doled out to isolated seniors living in the community,” she added. “Everybody cares about the little people and Santa. And as our lives go on, we end up having all the hustle and bustle around us with our own families. Eventually, kids grow up and start to build their own families and a lot of seniors are left and forgotten.
“It just seems like (many) seniors are put out to pasture and forgotten about and they become very lonely," Imrie said. "A lot of time their mental state is fragile… especially with COVID. Our goal is so all the seniors know they are not forgotten, are still loved and still a very important part of our community.”
Imrie recalls sitting with a local senior a few years ago watching a Christmas movie and being moved by just how much it meant to her to have someone to share the moment with.
“She said she used to have upwards of 25 people come to her home over Christmas and now is all alone. Boy, did that ever get me. It’s amazing," Imrie said. "We don’t have a lot of money, but we can sure spread it around. You come into this world dependent on people and unfortunately that’s the way we leave. It’s just about kindness. There’s so much we need to give back.
"COVID has divided a lot of people, so it’s nice to see people come together, especially at Christmas.”
Cash donations can be made online by clicking here or cheques sent by mail.
Donations of the following items are also accepted and pick-up of donated items can be arranged:
- new pyjamas, nightgowns, slippers, housecoats
- stuffed animals
- playing cards/games
- music CDs
- items such as deodorant, hand lotion, face cream, soap
- small boxes of cookies or candies or anything one would find in a Christmas stocking.
