PREECEVILLE — The idea of spreading the gift of giving to seniors came about five years ago in Yorkton, with the focus and goal of bringing a smile and sense of Christmas spirit to seniors. Through the years, it has evolved through the Extravadance Dance Studio’s efforts, which took it over three years ago to bring gift-stuffed stockings to seniors in area nursing homes. The program is now in its seventh year.
"It's upwards of 600 stockings that we filled last year and are projecting over 600-plus stockings and gifts that we will distribute this year," said Kristin Weber-Karcha, program organizer.
Now in its seventh year, the Yorkton Stockings for Seniors Program gives to nursing homes in Yorkton, Kamsack, Canora, Preeceville, Norquay, Invermay, Saltcoats and Theodore.
"If one little present can brighten their holiday, then I'm happy to provide this program," said Weber-Karcha. “We usually start at the beginning of November by approaching big organizations and the schools for financial donations. This is a great way for students to get involved in their communities. Cash donations help us to purchase all the items we need to help fill these gifts. We collect and store the items donated at the Extravadance Studio building at the beginning of December. On December 11 we start sorting, on December 17, and closer to Christmas on December 22 we deliver to the care homes. We do not personally hand them out to residents, but we do make sure no one is forgotten,” she said.
People looking to get involved are asked to contact the organizers at YorktonStockingsforSeniors@gmail.com.
“This is a great opportunity for families and school students to get involved. It is a way to pay it forward by going shopping, having your children pick out items for seniors, and donating to a very worthy program. We are still in need of sponsors to help purchase and donate items. We encourage anyone interested to please help out. Seniors are sometimes forgotten about, but we aim to fill that gap by making sure nobody is forgotten,” stated Weber-Karcha.
The residents do get to fill out a request form of what they would like, and the program aims to try to fulfill some of those items. Other items that can be considered when purchasing for seniors are toiletries like personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrushes, etc.), socks, slippers, large-size crossword books, night lights, candies (mint or hard), small chocolates, large-print books and many other assorted items.
