A Christmas tree is growing outside the Maple Ridge London Drugs.
Not in size, but with the wishes of seniors in need in the community.
Paper ornaments have been hung on the tree that contain wish lists written on the back of each. One ornament has a list of coffee or tea, a gift, notepad, cookies, pens, Band-Aids, and deodorant. But others have items like hot chocolate, gloves, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and candy.
This year, however, they have added new items to the lists because of changing needs.
"We've noticed that seniors are needing different things so we've changed it up. We've taken some things off the tags that we've done repeatedly every year and put new things on," explained Bev Schmahmann, outreach coordinator with the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society.
New on the tags this year are towels, vitamins, Vicks VapoRub, and rubs for joint pain.
Also are donations of gifts with wrapping paper, tape, and a card, so the senior can give a gift to someone else – something they normally can't afford to do.
People can also add their own personal touch to the bags like hand-drawn cards, artwork.
Once the items are bought on the wish list, they can be dropped off at the customer care area of London Drugs where they will be picked up and taken to the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society's activity centre. Here volunteers will pack each of the bags.
Every year they have averaged 230 to 250 bags, and these bags, said Schmahmann, are delivered to seniors most in need in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
This year marks the ninth annual Stocking Stuffers for Seniors program, a chain-wide program for London Drugs that takes place in 35 cities across Britsh Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
"We do it every year because we love to give back to the community. It's been a very successful program for London Drugs and we're honoured to be able to participate," said Elly Kurucz, store manager of the London Drugs in ValleyFair Mall.
The program is something near and dear to Kurucz's heart. This is her first year as store manager in Maple Ridge, but at her last location, bags were delivered to the care home her father-in-law lived in and passed away in.
"It does have a special place," she said about the program.
This year London Drugs is partnering with more than 200 care homes across Western Canada.
LDExtras members who donate a gift during the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors program period can receive 500 LDExtras points until the end of the program on December 8.
“Loneliness affects a significant number of seniors across Canada, and we’re committed to working with our customers to bring joy to those without family or friends this holiday season,” said Clint Mahlman, president and COO of London Drugs.
“The Stocking Stuffers for Seniors program allows us to collectively make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most, especially during what can be a challenging time of year. We encourage customers to join us in rekindling the spirit of giving and ensuring no senior is forgotten this year.”
Locally people can donate to Stocking Stuffers for Seniors until Wednesday, Dec. 18.
