HALDIMAND—It’s that time of year again! As snow starts to fall, the plucky elves behind Haldimand’s very own homegrown gift giving program Santa to a Senior (S2S) are hard at work behind the scenes making sure local seniors, adults in need, and those in community or assisted living who may not have family to visit on Christmas are not forgotten this holiday season.
The program is run by its creator, Sarah Hague, along with her steadfast companions Nicole Selby and Melissa Burgess. Hague created S2S during the 2020 holiday season, when Covid forced local long-term care facilities to shut their doors to families or friends looking to visit their loved ones.
That first year, kind-hearted residents, inspired by Hague’s idea, rallied together, donating over 400 unique gifts that were delivered to seniors at long term care facilities around Haldimand. In the years since, the program has grown, taking on more facilities, and kept afloat by the efforts of the three elves who won’t quit and the army of supporters backing them.
This year, the team is hoping to do something extra special to make the holidays shine for residents of Iroquois Lodge on Six Nations after the residents lost their home to a severe flood earlier this year.
“This group could use some extra attention,” said Hague, Selby, and Burgess in a statement to The Press. “As a result, they have been temporarily rehomed to an out-of-town facility, making it hard for families to stay in touch. To support this initiative, we are looking for partner(s) to do something extra special for them this year.”
While details on what that ‘extra special’ thing might be are still under consideration, the organizers shared a full list of the other facilities and organizations they plan to visit as part of this year’s gift-giving parade, with 10 in Haldimand and four in Six Nations:
- Able Living
- Anson Place
- Aspen Apartments
- Brantwood Villa
- Community Living Haldimand
- Community Living Six Nations
- Edgewater Gardens
- Home and Community Care Six Nations
- Iroquois Lodge
- Leisure Living
- Maple Grove Place
- Parkview Meadows
- RVilla
- Six Nations Community Paramedics
“In addition to our facilities, we support individual members in our communities who need extra help during the holiday season,” said the organizers. “These individuals can be self-nominated or nominated by someone else. If you know someone in need, please be sure to visit our website at santatoasenior.ca to complete a nomination form before December 1.”
Of course, without community buy-in and support, S2S could not exist. The team is hoping those who have come to include the annual program as part of their festive routine will continue to find value in making the holidays a little brighter for a stranger.
“Every year has brought challenges, and this one was no different. Donations, whether monetary or gifts, are always unknown,” said the group statement. “The worry is that our demand will exceed what we can support, but each year our communities never let us down.”
Some technical challenges this year almost cost the team the ability to post their custom Wish List items for individual seniors on their website, but with a little Christmas magic, they were able to work it out. That said, “For our 2026 campaign, we are looking for a volunteer with expertise in website management to help us move our website to a local host and maintain it to avoid any further complications.”
If the idea of buying a whole extra gift feels daunting, S2S also accepts monetary donations to help purchase extra gifts and items for the program.
“No donation is too small; big or small, it all helps us reach our goal,” said the group. “Many families have made this a tradition we are proud to be part of. Post your Santa-to-Senior activities on your social media and be sure to tag us in your posts. Tell friends and family. If you are a crafter or a teacher/school, homemade gifts are always welcome. If you own a business or know a business owner, we are always looking for sponsors.”
Those businesses who take part get featured on the S2S website and social media accounts with a highlight interview and their logos included in the gift-giving parade as a way of saying thank you.
This year’s gift-giving parade is scheduled for December 20. On that day, volunteers will meet to load up a delivery truck donated by Grand Erie Home Hardware and hit the road, followed by a train of vehicles decked out in holiday gear.
“Traditionally, we stop in for a delicious lunch at Godfather’s in Dunnville and end our parade at Maple Grove Place, which even invited us to join them for some treats and carolling, since they love it so much,” said the group.
Hague, Selby, and Burgess called it a privilege to keep S2S going each year.
“Starting as early as October, people begin reaching out to ask when the campaign is starting, eager to be part of something that brings joy to others,” they said. “We are continually humbled by the support we receive…. No matter the long hours, challenges, or frustrations, our hearts grow every year with the love poured into S2S. Together, we prove that kindness isn’t seasonal, it’s a movement.”
For more information or to sign up as a Santa and choose a recipient, visit santatoasenior.ca, or look them up on Facebook.
