Playing Santa: Volunteers bring joy to seniors

The scene was similar to Santa’s workshop, but instead of elves making toys, Spokane-area senior-services professionals were wrapping presents in bright Christmas colors and bows. Lots of presents: tables of socks, flannel pajamas, fuzzy blankets, gloves, candies and more.

All the gifts are for local seniors who likely wouldn’t get a Christmas present if not for the Senior Action Network of Eastern Washington, which has delivered holiday gifts for three years to various senior living centers and assisted living facilities.

“I can’t wait to see their faces,” said Brandy Tarala of American Medical Response. Tarala and co-worker Crystal Brown loaded their ambulance with the gifts later in the week and used the stretcher to transport them into the facilities. Some of the facility managers save the gifts to distribute at their center’s own holiday parties.

SANEWA events chairman Dean Roberson, owner of Family Home Care, put on his Santa Claus suit and hat and played the part, handing out gifts. He said the gig is an honor.

“I get to hug all the little old men and women,” he said, showing off his jolly grin. “They are thrilled Santa is there.”

During last week’s wrapping session, Roberson told of going to Sullivan Park Seniors and Assisted Living last year and winning over a cantankerous Grinch.

“I walked into his room and said, ‘Ho ho ho,’ ” Roberson said. “He turned into a 5-year-old. It was so sweet. Our mission is serving seniors.”

He also remembered a woman who clapped and clapped. When she opened a warm, red blanket from Santa, the woman put it around her shoulders, and staff told him she refused to take it off for weeks.

For many people living in care facilities, the holidays are lonely.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, as many as half of all long-term care residents have no living relations. Of those who do have family, around 60 percent never receive a visitor.

Roberson said the goal is to bring cheer and smiles to a few of those people in need. Each of the network members donate the gifts, which totaled about 330 items, including a few homemade quilts and crocheted hats in Seahawks colors.

The network, which began in 2011, has about 70 members, coming from care facilities, home health and funeral homes and including attorneys and real estate agents specializing in senior transitions. The idea is to ensure members know what senior services and professionals are available in the area so they can make knowledgeable referrals.

The network has two large fundraisers each year, including Cooking for a Cause where chefs from the area’s senior living communities face off in the kitchen. Part of those funds were awarded last week, with Meals on Wheels, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, Catholic Charities of Spokane and Cathedral Plaza senior apartments each receiving $400.

This year the service group awarded $10,500 to the local Parkinson’s Resource Center of Spokane.

Providence St. Joseph Care Center has 50 residents in long-term care, many with little or no family support, said Linda Fairhurst, the recreation specialist supervisor.

With the gifts from the senior network along with other donors, all residents are guaranteed a gift on Christmas morning.

“The residents are often overwhelmed with joy, bringing some to tears,” Fairhurst said. “Thanks to such a caring community.”