Stuff A Christmas Stocking For A Senior is back! The Christmas season initiative created by the Strathmore Lions Club will start on November 1 and run for the entire month until December 1.

The Rack on 3rd's Marlene Risdon, a member of the Lions Club, explained the way it works is, “Starting November 1st the sheets all go out and we go to all the lodges and senior homes in town and they fill them all out.” She noted that anybody can also nominate independent seniors that live on their own.

“It’s for any senior that you think would really be enlightened by a gift from a stranger,” said Risdon.

Starting on November 1, seniors fill out their names on the sheets and something that they would like for Christmas.

“Then December 1st people can come in and pick up the names to buy the presents, and then they deliver them,,” explained Risdon.

The local business owner says that last year they had over 430 names, with local organizations, services groups and families purchasing gifts for seniors.

“We had 4-H clubs and schools picking up names plus families. The whole family would come in, mum and dad and their two kids and they’d all get their own names,” she said.

Gifts are dropped off at the seniors facilities or at individual homes.

“Last year there were people that took them to homes, and I heard one lady started crying.

She couldn't believe it. That a stranger would bring her a gift,” said Risdon.

“Some people said ‘this is the only gift I'll get,’” she said.

On December 1, that’s when participants can come to the store to pick up a list of names of seniors with what they’d like as a Christmas gift.

 

Click below to check out the online auction now - a great way to support local and even pick a few early gifts to start stuffing those stockings!!