“Be a Santa to a Senior” this holiday

(ABC 6 News) – ‘Tis the season for giving and “Be a Santa to a Senior” is back for its 18th year in Rochester. By buying a poinsettia at Sargent’s on 2nd, you are helping spread holiday cheer to a senior through Home Instead – Rochester. An organization providing in-home care for seniors.

It’s pretty simple, when stop by Sargent’s, you pick up one of the campaign bulbs on the tree and bring it to the register. Each bulb represents a senior and a poinsettia.

Sargent’s was approached for the opportunity and Forrest Sargent, the founder of the company has been involved with Home Instead for several years. Put two and two together and employees took the unique opportunity to spread holiday cheer.

“It’s been very well received,” said Neil Imsdahl, the assistant manager on Sargent’s on 2nd.

“People love the idea. When you tell them when they see the bulb on the tree and have a lot of questions about it. Then when you tell them you’re buying a poinsettia for a senior who might not have family in the area, people love that idea.”

“Names are submitted from [the] community, people in the community, and then of seniors. Then, they can come in here and purchase a poinsettia,” said Karen Hanson, a care manager at Home Instead – Rochester.

“If they want to put a little extra gift with it, they can when they purchase it. But, otherwise, if they just want to call on the phone and purchase a poinsettia, just call Sargent’s (here) and purchase that poinsettia. We can do it that way too,”

The poinsettia is about $16 and will buy a senior a 6″ plant. The plant is then delivered by a volunteer who not only gives the gift but spends time with the senior.

“I’ve had an individual who just lost a grandson and I came to a door and she’s like ‘you’ve got to be kidding, this can’t be for me’ and started crying,” Hanson shared.

“They’re just excited to have, it just brings light to them, and life to them. They’re very excited to have the visit and have a little extra TLC.”

As of Monday night, about 1/3 of the bulbs have been sold at Sargent’s. The campaign hopes to bring a “Santa” to about 200 seniors this year and ends on December 19th.