Residents from Village by the Station received an amazing outpouring of care from the community through the London Drugs ‘Wish Tree.’
On Wednesday, London Drugs manager Colin Campbell and assistant manager Karen Muir dropped off gifts galore for residents who do not have families or friends in our community, said Village by the Station’s recreation coordinator Andrea Jones.
“It is such a special way to help those who may feel forgotten to feel loved and cared for,” said Jones.
The gifts were raised through London Drug’s annual Stocking Stuffers for Seniors Program, also known as the “Wish Tree” by many locals.
Every year, London Drugs partners with local care homes and charities to bring more holiday cheer to seniors. People select a gift tag on the Christmas tree at their local London Drugs, purchase the items on the wish list, and bring the unwrapped items to the service centre so it will be delivered to seniors before Christmas.
Most of the wish lists were simple things like Kleenex and chocolates or slippers and scarfs.
“The staff were overcome with emotion at the amazing support from the community. It has been a tremendously difficult time for the residents, especially during the Christmas season,” said Jones.
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“The residents have also received Christmas cards from Wiltse and Parkway Elementary schools and Penticton High school. We have several individuals from the community donate handmade blankets, quilts and gift bags for our residents too.”
All the gifts and cards have to “quarantine” due to Covid protocols. The packages will be given on Christmas Day.
“I am sure that they will feel loved and honoured and remembered,” Jones added.
“2020 has been a challenging and difficult year for many of us, but it’s especially affected our elderly Canadian population,” said Clint Mahlman, president and chief operating officer of London Drugs.
“We all know the effects of isolation and loneliness on our seniors have been significant during the pandemic, and the goal of the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors program is to show our seniors we care, we are thinking of them, and we are here for them— even if we can’t be there for them in person this year.”
Village by the Station is going through an outbreak of COVID-19 right now so no visitors are allowed. The outbreak was declared on Dec. 5 with one resident and one staff member testing positive, and currently has four confirmed cases.
monique.Tamminga@pentictonwesternnews.com
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