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Stuff-a-Stocking for Seniors Makes Return with Help from Caesars Windsor
After returning from a brief trip out east last December, Carol, 80, came home to find a bright red Christmas stocking filled with gifts at her front door. This year, thanks to a donation of $1,500 from Caesars Windsor as well as continued support from Amherstburg and LaSalle Residents, Carol will be one of over 300 seniors to receive a gift from the Stuff-a-Stocking for Seniors program.
The Stuff-a-Stocking for Seniors program, which is organized by Amherstburg Community Services (ACS), collects small gifts from the community and puts them into Christmas stockings that are then delivered to seniors in Amherstburg and LaSalle. According to ACS executive director, Kathy DiBartolomeo, the aim of this program is to reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation faced by seniors.
“Senior loneliness and isolation is a serious problem that can be highlighted during the holidays,” DiBartolomeo said. She continued by saying that the contribution from Caesars Windsor, which will also be sending staff to help pack and sort the stockings, makes a huge difference. “I cannot tell you just how much we appreciate their contribution – this will allow us to help more seniors than ever before.”
After her experience last year, Carol says that the impact of this program is certainly felt by individuals like her.
“It actually made me cry because I had lost my husband only months before that, so the holidays were a difficult time for me,” Carol explained. “It was truly wonderful to open that up and see all the love that was packed inside. I’ll never forget it, and I made sure that every item in that stocking went to good use.”
ACS will be collecting donations for the program until November 29th. Small gifts such as gloves, socks, scarves, toiletries, small treats and candies, Christmas stockings, and homemade holiday cards, as well as monetary donations are needed and can be dropped off at ACS’ office at 179 Victoria St S, Amherstburg. Drop-off boxes will also be set up at the Vollmer Complex in LaSalle and the Libro Credit Union Centre in Amherstburg. Seniors can be signed up by themselves or by others by calling ACS at 519-736-5471.
