Assistance League^® of Bend volunteers have been working for weeks to ensure that the holiday wishes of local seniors are fulfilled through their annual Secret Santa program.

Facility representatives at 18 long-term care facilities in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Sisters speak with residents to obtain personalized gift requests, including size, color, and interests. Many of the requests are touchingly simple, such as a new pillow, a cozy blanket, a pair of warm socks, or a sweater in a favorite color. Others reflect their interests such as bird feeders, books, or art supplies. The volunteers enjoy hunting for the perfect gifts to brighten the holidays for these often-forgotten seniors.

Meredith Kellogg, Chairman of the Secret Santa program, shared “There are a lot of people in our facilities in Deschutes County who have nothing so it’s our job – and our pleasure – to go out and make sure they have a little bit of Christmas joy. We believe we can touch one life at a time, and we do that today.”

The “Secret Santa Squad,” dressed in holiday colors and festive Santa hats, loaded up their “sleighs” to deliver the beautifully decorated packages to 424 seniors on December 14, just in time for Christmas.

Kellogg said, “The Secret Santa program brings together the needs of seniors in our community and the kindness of those able to meet those needs.” Click here to see the Assistance League Secret Santa Squad in action on News Channel 21.

Contact programs@assistanceleaguebend.org or call 541-389-2075 to learn more about Assistance League’s senior caring programs.