The Oneida Health Extended Care Facility is seeking donations for holiday gifts for seniors in their care. The facility is asking the public to help make the holiday season brighter for these seniors by donating funds to be used to purchase wish list items for the residents and their caregivers. The Oneida Health Extended Care Facility is home to approximately 120 seniors who may not have family or friends to celebrate the holidays with. The facility is hoping to provide the residents with gifts to show them that they are loved and appreciated.

This time of year is often an emotional time for residents of extended care facilities. Pennie Ostrander, Activities Director, explains, “If we didn’t offer this program, many residents would think that no one cares about them, and Christmas would simply be like any other day. The community’s support is the best part of this program. It may seem silly, but Christmas magic never fades away. Looking at a package with your name on it, opening it, and experiencing that moment of surprise. Christmas brings out the child in all of us, even the elderly.”

The facility is asking for online donations of funds that will be used to purchase holiday gifts for the residents. Gifts will be wrapped by volunteers of the Oneida Health Auxiliary and will be supported by the Oneida Health Foundation. Both have been long standing supporters of the care facility and its residents. By participating in this initiative, individuals can bring joy and warmth to the seniors’ lives during the holiday season, reminding them that they are not forgotten and that their well-being matters to the community.

“We want to make sure that our seniors feel loved and appreciated during the holiday season,” said Sara Park, Director of Oneida Health Foundation. “We are asking the public to help us make this happen by donating monetary gifts that will be used to purchase gifts for the residents.”

Donations can be made directly to the Extended Care Resident Christmas Fund through the mail at Oneida Health Foundation 321 Genesee Street, Oneida, NY 13421, or online by clicking the link below.