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Initiative brings Christmas to seniors without family

THUNDER BAY -- A local foundation is asking the community to help bring Santa to some of the city's seniors. St. Joseph's Foundation volunteer Karin Sitko realized she probably wasn't the only one who noticed some seniors in St.
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St. Joseph's Foundation volunteer Karin Sitko. (Jamie Smith, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY -- A local foundation is asking the community to help bring Santa to some of the city's seniors.

St. Joseph's Foundation volunteer Karin Sitko realized she probably wasn't the only one who noticed some seniors in St. Joseph's Care Group sites waiting at Christmas for family, friends or a gift that never comes.

With that in mind, she pitched the idea of Be a Santa to a Senior to the foundation, which immediately heard from staff that making someone's Christmas a little brighter would be greatly appreciated.

"It's really sad to see. We often think of children at Christmas and young families but there are seniors out there who don't have anyone to drop in and visit or see at Christmas. I think this initiative will be very welcome in the community," she said.

Until Dec. 18, the foundation will be money or gifts, hoping to raise $10,000 for 130 presents.

"We want to make sure they at least have a gift to open on Christmas morning and let them know the people of this community are thinking of them," foundation executive director Katrina O'Neill said.

O'Neill said she hopes this is the first of many years of the event. She's looking to expand it into the community next year to help more seniors have a Merry Christmas.

Anyone who can't afford to make a donation but wants to help can volunteer to wrap or shop for presents.

Donations and information can be found here

 

 





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