Do you know — or are you — a senior citizen in south Lincoln County who may be lonely this holiday season? If so, you can help someone else or yourself receive a free bag of gift goodies delivered to your door Christmas Eve.
But don’t dawdle – the signup ends Dec. 11 and recipients are first-come, first-served as a Yachats woman plunges into her third year of spreading cheer.
“These are often people who probably aren’t going to get gifts from other people,” says Amy Parker, who is again organizing a drive to supply, wrap and distribute gift bags to seniors from Seal Rock in the north, through Waldport and Yachats to Tenmile Creek in the south.
The program is based on need alone, serving seniors who are isolated, homebound, or just don’t have family around. During the 2020 Covid lockdown Parker’s “Senior Secret Santa South County Elves,” as she calls her volunteers, delivered gift bags to 98 seniors. That number grew to 140 last year, and is topped off at 150 this year.
Parker said people can nominate someone or themselves by calling her at 541-270-4375 through Dec. 11. She’ll need the recipient’s name, address and phone number in order to have her “elves” distribute gift bags on Christmas Eve.
Each bag of donated gifts (some donors offer cash) includes a grooming product like shampoo or lotion, something to eat and drink, and a “comfort” item such as slipper socks. No additional items are needed for this year’s effort.
Every bag also includes a holiday card, with a handwritten message and pictures from children in local youth groups.
“This wouldn’t happen without the community’s help,” Parker said. “From our donors to our volunteers, to flyer-hangers and the kids in the community, there are so many who help bring joy to people who might otherwise be forgotten.”
Parker began her holiday giveaway for personal reasons. She has parents living in an area mobile home community and visits them twice weekly.
Still, “They get pretty lonely, and so do some of their senior neighbors,” Parker said. “I hope the giveaway keeps going every year, and we don’t have to reduce the number of people we help.”
— Cheryl Romano, YachatsNews.com
I would love to be notified next year so we could donate something. We try to find a worthy group each year to donate items , this makes our Christmas. As seniors ourselves we would love to be involved in donating to your group! We were members of a group here in Lincoln City where we tried to make Christmas for those kids who fall in the cracks. Parents who make too much to qualify for many programs bu not enough to really have gifts for Christmas, I know the joy it brought us and we miss it. Unfortunately our group disbanded after the Otis fire because so many of our members had worked so hard helping those affected to get basic needs that they just did not have the energy to do Christmas.
God bless you for your program.
Hi Lynda – I will make sure Amy sees your message, and there may be something we need. What we planned for is covered, but we do get requests at the last minute, and it would be good to have your support.
My cell is 541-413-0001, if you want to call with your contact info, and I will talk to Amy in the interval. Thanks, Joan Davies (junior elf)