CANMORE – A program created almost a decade ago to connect seniors with the community through gift giving at Christmas is still looking for a few more elves this holiday season.
Bow Valley Elves organizer Christine de Soto said there are still a few seniors in the valley that have tags on the program's giving tree. She said the campaign expects to be fully subscribed soon, which is a testament to its success.
"Seniors love it – it is a big highlight for them this time of year," de Soto said. "We have had 412 gift requests this year, which will reach 425 seniors or elders, because some of them are couples."
The program works by partnering with the Bow Valley Seniors Lodge, the Eagle's Nest long-term care unit at the Canmore hospital and Family and Community Support Services.
Seniors, including those who still live at home, sign up and provide a gift idea for themselves. Tags are created for each and put on giving trees in the community for people to pick up. Gifts are bought, wrapped and returned in time to be given to seniors before Christmas Day.
This year, however, COVID-19 has resulted in a need to adapt. Only one giving tree is out in the community this year, at Rusticana Grocery on Main Street in Canmore, and an online sign up system was created.
The gift-giving program has a few tags left for the community to choose from the giving tree, however the online sign up is already full.
In the past, students at Canmore Collegiate High School were involved in delivering the gifts to seniors.
"That was really the highlight," de Soto said, adding that establishing Bow Valley Elves almost a decade ago has been very rewarding after seeing how meaningful the connection between youth and seniors in the community has become.
Efforts are underway to find a creative and appropriately socially distanced way for the students to connect with the elders when they receive their gifts and keep them safe from the spread of the virus.
The program is not based upon need, but invites all seniors to participate as a way to build community and connect different generations. It also encourages gift givers to find their presents at local businesses.
"I am blown away by how much the community loves it," de Soto said. "I have had so many people tell me they look forward to this, they cannot wait and it makes their Christmas."
Earlier this summer, the Bow Valley Elves organized a Christmas in July event to help create a positive experience for seniors in the community isolating because they are a population that is vulnerable to coronavirus.
De Soto said it was a very successful endeavour and provided a positive experience for seniors who are unable to connect with people in the community this year as a result of the pandemic.
Wrapped gifts must be returned to Rusticana by Thursday (Dec. 10). Go to the Bow Valley Elves Facebook page for more information.
