Warm Hearth Foundation’s Silver Santa program is in its fifth year with community members and local businesses adopting seniors living at Warm Hearth Village (WHV). The Silver Santa program benefits those living at WHV who rely on low, fixed monthly incomes, or who receive housing or health care subsidies. Silver Santa started as a way to bring joy during the holidays with a friendly visit and a basket full of items tailored to each resident’s needs and wishes.
Working in partnership with 64 generous donors in our community, the Foundation provided wish list items to 128 residents across the campus this year. Donors assisted by purchasing wish list items with LewisGale Hospital Montgomery helping 30 residents. Other local businesses, including Inorganic Ventures, Valley Overstock, VT Counselor Education, St. Mary’s Church, Blacksburg Junior Women’s Club, and Prices Fork Grange also adopted multiple residents to help deliver baskets with a total value of $10,465.
Participants create their needs/wish lists in late summer. Registered donors can adopt one or more seniors to shop for. Residents request items such as food, personal care and pet supplies and maybe a special wish item. This year’s wish lists ranged from a toaster, to blankets to special food to meet their pet’s restricted dietary needs. The sleigh-load of gifts arrived to the Warm Hearth Foundation on December 8 and 9. The WHV Team of Elves, including residents, employees, and board members, delivered the gifts door-to-door on December 14.
Kim Wasil, Philanthropy Assistant, is new to the program this year. “A resident called me post-delivery to say the basket was the best thing that happened all year. It made me so happy to be a part of something that made someone’s holiday season brighter.” she said. “The way this community shows up to show love for the seniors in our Village is so powerful and we cannot wait to see how this program grows next year.”
Resident Laura Shawhan has lived in the village 18 months and participated in Silver Santa for the first time this year. “I requested items for my dog and received a certificate to Walmart for food, an outfit, toys. I was thrilled.” Shawhan said. “I am blown away by everything Warm Hearth offers,” she added.
WHV thanks everyone who has contributed to the success and longevity of the Silver Santa program. The Village is grateful to be part of such a generous community.
