One Small Gesture Means Big Holiday Lift for Lonely Ocean County Seniors

Holidays are festive when there are people to share them. Many elderly folks living alone in Ocean County don't feel the joy. A firm in Waretown that provides non-medical care to the aged seeks your help to spread cheer where it will do a world of good.

Staffers of Home Instead Senior Care are preparing their annual "Be A Santa To A Senior" program. They're working with food pantry volunteers in Manahawkin to collect and distribute gifts - nothing extravagant, just necessities such as small as toothbrushes and as large as coats, socks, gloves and scarves.

Home Instead subscribers get help with transportation, reminders about medical matters, personal care and housekeeping.

Donation items are piling up under festive-looking trees in the Home Instead headquarters on Memorial Drive in Waretown and at Simply Hair on North Main Street in Manahawkin.

Tara Bonelli organizes the activity and can be e-mailed: tara.bonelli@homeinstead.com.