Though it won’t be a normal Christmas this year with the Covid-19 pandemic, Santa Claus will still be making his rounds.

In-home care service provider Home Instead’s seasonal “Be a Santa to a Senior” program is returning this year to help provide donated gifts to aging citizens.

This year however, because of Covid-19 precautions, the gift giving in Fresno is going to be contactless.

Home Instead is teaming with Amazon Business to create a contactless experience for volunteers for the first time in the program’s 17-year history.

“The Be a Santa to a Senior program brings so much joy to seniors in our community,” said Pennie Phillips, owner of the Fresno Home Instead office. “Seniors are especially at risk for the feelings of isolation that we’ve all felt at some point during the pandemic, and a simple gift can show them that they have been thought of, which is more important this year than ever.” 

The program relies on the support of the community and volunteers, as well as area businesses, nonprofit organizations and retailers.

Since 2003, the Be a Santa to a Senior program has provided around 2.1 million gifts to more than 750,000 seniors nationwide in the Home Instead network.

“We need the community’s help more than ever to make sure seniors feel connected this year,” said Phillips. “This year we knew we had to find a way to spread holiday cheer to seniors, and we are grateful for the community’s participation.”

For more information, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.com.