At a time when it may be more important than ever, Home Instead’s Be A Santa to a Senior program has new ways to brighten a senior’s day.

With Raleigh/Durham area seniors more isolated than ever because of concerns due to the virus, this year, Home Instead will collect gifts for area seniors through both online shopping through Amazon and at trees in local businesses and retailers. Program organizers hope to collect more than 2,000 gifts this year.

“The Be a Santa to a Senior program brings so much joy to seniors in our community,” said John Posey, owner of the Raleigh Home Instead office. “Seniors are especially at risk for the feelings of isolation that we’ve all felt at some point during the pandemic, and a simple gift can show them that they have been thought of, which is more important this year than ever.”

In addition to numerous holiday trees with senior ornaments, organizers have teamed up with Amazon Business to create a contactless gift-giving experience. It’s easy — to purchase gifts online, simply visit BeASantatoaSenior.com before Friday, Dec. 4, and enter your zip code to view the wish lists for local seniors. A personalized greeting can be included with the gift, which will be shipped directly to Home Instead and then safely delivered to the senior.

Local residents can also visit holiday trees at Home Centric in Cary, 337 Crossroads Blvd., or Starbucks at 3608 Davis Drive, in Morrisville on display through Dec. 4. The trees are decorated with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and their desired gifts. Holiday shoppers simply choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it unwrapped to the store with the ornament attached.

“We need the community’s help more than ever to make sure seniors feel connected this year,” Posey said. “This year we knew we had to find a way to spread holiday cheer to seniors, and we are grateful for the community’s participation.”

Home Instead has partnered with several agencies that work with seniors to identify gift recipients, including Resources for Seniors, Phoenix Assisted Living, Spring Arbor, Chatham Commons Assisted Living, Brookridge Assisted Living, Raleigh Rehab, Meals on Wheels, and C&H Cafeteria.

Other Be a Santa to a Senior tree locations in the Triangle:

• Atria Oakridge, 10810 Sandy Oak Lane, Raleigh
• Cadence Living at Wake Forest, 3218 Heritage Road, Wake Forest
• Charron’s Deli & Café, 120 E. Main St., Youngsville
• Culver’s, 2819 Rogers Road, Wake Forest
• Starbucks, 180 Cabela Drive, Garner
• Starbucks, 9630 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
• Starbucks, 9441 Strickland Road, Raleigh
• Starbucks, 6176 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
• Starbucks, 6282 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
• Starbucks, 7498 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh
• Starbucks, 10760 Wakefield Commons Drive, Raleigh
• Starbucks, 2815 Rogers Road, Wake Forest
• Treeo Senior Living, 2722 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh
• Upchurch Drug and Gift Shoppe, 5108 N. Roxboro St., Durham
• C&H Cafeteria, 1720 Guess Road, Durham