For nearly four decades, the Osceola Council on Aging has hosted our Senior Santa outreach program each holiday season. With Christmas only a few weeks away, our more than 200 employees and nearly 350 volunteers are ramping up for this annual Christmas tradition again.
As with thousands of communities across the United States, Senior Santa has become an annual tradition. Held primarily by non-profits, community organizations and social service agencies, the Senior Santa program focuses on providing gifts to low-income, homebound seniors, and those with disabilities, to ensure they receive at least one gift during the holidays.
This initiative is special because it also serves as a vital outreach program while addressing isolation and loneliness which accompanies a substantial number of seniors during the holidays. According to AARP, 1 in 4 seniors will spend the holidays without a loved one, and 1 in 10 will experience extreme loneliness during the holiday season.
OCOA employees and our volunteers participate in Senior Santa in a myriad of ways. Whether it be adopting a senior, donating gifts or money, or helping with tasks like gift wrapping and delivery, our team looks forward to supporting the Christmas celebration every year.
“Each holiday season we adopt hundreds of seniors, host parties, give holiday gifts, provide meals, and spread Christmas cheer to thousands of Osceola seniors,” said OCOA Chief of Staff Dr. Johnola Morales. “Through this annual holiday outreach program, the OCOA not only supports residents living alone, but those who are disadvantaged within our community.”
The program includes an invitation and transportation to the OCOA’s annual Senior Santa Holiday Party, complete with dinner, decorations, party favors and, of course, Santa Claus. Each senior receives a special gift bag delivered during Christmas week, and a specially prepared festive holiday dinner delivered on Christmas Day. In 2023 alone, we “adopted” more than 1,000 seniors and nearly 1,200 during 2024 holiday season.
By simply donating $30, anyone can adopt a single senior. For those looking to generously adopt more than one, we have opportunities for gift sponsorships and corporate giving programs.
Having hosted this program for so many years, we have seen thousands of volunteers deliver gifts and meals to adopted seniors. One of those volunteers is former Osceola County Sheriff Russ Gibson.
“I’ve discovered that delivering Christmas dinners to isolated seniors is not just a duty; it’s an enriching experience,” Gibson said. “Witnessing the joy and gratitude in the eyes of those who might otherwise spend the holidays alone is priceless.”
Personally, this fun, festive, annual adoption initiative always reminds me of the profound impact which the OCOA has had on the lives of our community’s most vulnerable members. We will always strive to create a community where every person feels valued, supported, and connected, especially during the holidays.
To donate to this year’s Senior Santa, visit https://osceolagenerations.org/seniorsanta/. For those wishing to sponsor, opportunities are available including individual, corporate giving, and/or promotional sponsorships. For more information, contact sponsor@osceola-coa.com.
