It is the time of year for angel trees. They pop up in just about every mall, decorated with little angel-shaped tags with the name of a child, his age and his Christmas wish.
When my kids were little, it was an essential part of the holiday. We would shop for a girl and boy, and leave the gifts in the box under the angel tree.
It was never the feel-good moment that it is meant to be. My kids were grouchy about buying toys for somebody else. If it left a strong impression on anybody, it was probably me.
That's why the "Be a Santa to a Senior" campaign hit me as hard as it did — right there in the Hallmark spot in my heart that is particularly tender at this time of year.
Begun eight years ago by Home Instead Senior Care, a national company with local franchises, the campaign collects the names and the modest holiday wishes of senior citizens who are alone at Christmas. They ask for such practical things: socks, pajamas, blankets, sweaters, bed linens, or soaps and lotions.
"One gentleman asked for his glasses to be fixed and a small ham for Christmas dinner," said Pamela Urnowey, marketing director of Home Instead in Anne Arundel and Howard counties.
"And another sounds like a kid at heart. He asked for Scrabble, checkers and puzzle books."
She is collecting gifts for seniors in Howard and Anne Arundel counties with help from the county departments of aging and nonprofits such as Partners in Care, the Girl Scouts and Meals on Wheels.
Mary Ann Howell, a clinical supervisor in Anne Arundel County's Department of Aging, said her clients, most of whom are frail but live independently, usually ask for gift cards for Giant, Safeway or Target.
"Or they might ask for 'safe' slippers, light bulbs or cleaning products," said Howell, who asked for gifts for 150 seniors. "Maybe a CD player for books on tape or to listen to music."
There are trees in Walmarts and Kmarts in both counties and in Catonsville in Baltimore County bearing the wishes of these seniors, and you still have time to take a name and buy a gift before the campaign ends on Monday.
Or you can volunteer to help wrap the gifts in holiday paper and tag them. The staffs of the departments of aging will deliver the gifts.
Nationwide, Home Instead has delivered 1.5 million gifts to needy seniors in the past seven years, but different Home Instead franchises might handle the campaign differently. The Home Instead franchise in Baltimore County, for example, works with a local elementary school to collect and wrap the gifts.
"Many older adults continue to struggle in a down economy, particularly those who live alone with no family nearby to help provide resources," said Nick Konstant, who owns the Home Instead offices in Arnold and Ellicott City. The company provides nonmedical help for seniors who want to remain at home. Light housekeeping, repairs, rides to the doctor or the grocery store, help in the shower and the like.
"It is one of the ways we try to give back to our community," said Urnowey.
The campaign in Howard and Anne Arundel counties collected about 800 gifts in 2008, but after the economy tanked, the numbers dropped. Only 300 gifts were collected in 2009 and 400 in 2010.
"We are hoping to get 500 this year," said Urnowey. "But Thanksgiving weekend is our big weekend, and it didn't turn out as well as we had hoped."
There is a law firm in Washington that adopts 40 seniors for the holiday, and an accounting firm in Columbia that takes 30 names, so there is an opportunity for "corporate" giving as well. And a knitting group in Columbia contributed more than 50 lap robes, hats and scarves.
You can call Urnowey and ask for the name and the wish list of a senior. Or simply send a check. It isn't too late.
Needy children will break your heart at this time of year, and it is right that we should try to make their holidays bright.
But if you really want to feel that clutch in your chest, visit beasantatoasenior.com and watch the reactions of the seniors.
They are overwhelmed that someone is thinking of them at Christmas.
Be a Santa to a Senior
Through Dec. 12, you can choose a senior's name and wish list from a tree at these locations:
•Walmart, 7081 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover
•Walmart, 407 George Clauss Blvd., Severn
•Walmart, 6205 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville
•Kmart, 3255 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater
•Kmart, 1647 Crofton Center, Crofton
Other ways to help
Donations: Call Pamela Urnowey at 410-349-2320, ext. 119, for the name of a senior. Or mail a check to Home Instead, 1511 Ritchie Highway, Suite 103, Arnold 21012.
Wrapping parties: Volunteers are welcome on these two dates: Dec. 13, in the morning, at Morningside House of Friendship in Ellicott City; and Dec. 15 at Sunrise Senior Living in Severna Park.