Gifts for Seniors Holiday Donation Program’s mission is to “Remember Those Whom Others Have Forgotten” by collecting and distributing donated gifts to the metro area’s most isolated senior citizens who have little or no contact with family or friends. Served are isolated seniors residing in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Washington and Wright counties.

Donations are received primarily from now until the first of the year from individuals and groups including social clubs, scout troops, schools, employee groups, businesses and faith-based groups. Donations are listed on an annually updated ‘wish list’ that includes household goods, recreational items, clothing and personal hygiene items, checks, prepaid bus and phone cards, postage stamps and gift cards/certificates for grocery stores, discount centers and restaurants. Donations purchased specifically for individual seniors with unique needs are coordinated through the program’s Sunshine Club.

In 2004, more than 30 businesses in 20 metro communities hosted “gift barrels,” more than 60 agencies participated in the program, more than 25 groups donated gifts, more than $20,000 of monetary items were donated and nearly 3,000 isolated seniors received a gift.

Program founders and ongoing partners are KLBB Radio 1400/1470 AM and the Volunteer and Community Partnership Program of Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department. Collaborating agencies identify the metro area’s most isolated seniors, select an appropriate gift for each senior identified, arrange for the gift to be personally delivered and complete program reporting of gifts received.

For more information contact  program coordinator Kristine Poelzer, or 612/348-5835.