(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with Connections Area Agency on Aging have announced that they will host their 3rd Annual Secret Santa for Seniors, holiday gift program. According to Aubury Krueger-Kutchara, Connections’ Director of Community Engagement, the agency is looking for nominations for older community members aged 60 or older that have little or no family near, that would benefit from some holiday cheer.  The organization is also looking for community members that would like to “adopt” an older community member and purchase gift cards from their wish list.

Krueger-Kutchara says they are focusing on gift cards again this year to ensure health and safety of older community members and donors. She says “Our seniors are thrilled to be able to shop for wanted items without affecting their tight budget.” Three years ago, Connections staff came together, and thought it would be great if there was a holiday giving program specifically for seniors.  There were many programs throughout our service area for children and families, but no programs just for older community members.  In the previous 2 years, Connections has been able to bring holiday joy to 139 seniors across its service area.

Tasha Jones, Elder Rights Specialist with the Connections Agency, says “It is such an honor to be able to offer this unique program again to our very special community members. A common theme in talking with our seniors is the gratitude they have to receive gift cards to purchase wanted items without choosing between a basic need and to be remembered during the Holiday Season. Our program is a great example of how community comes together to support each other and its members.”

To find out how you can nominate an older community member for the program, or how you can donate contact Tasha Jones at tjones@connectionsaaa.org