topic Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees in Community Chat

Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Noel7 — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 00:49:36 GMT

I was in Walgreens the other day and on the counter I noticed a small Christmas tree, the Senior Giving Tree.

I looked it over, one man wanted chocolates, others had various other small requests, but I was struck by the number of elderly customers who asked for a cane.

Such a simple basic need that would be a Christmas gift for someone. It touched me deeply.

Have others noticed Senior Giving Trees in their drugstores or other places? What a wonderful idea, imo, giving directly to our neighbors.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 00:57:16 GMT

I will check for this the next time I shop at Walgreens. Thanks for posting this info.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Abrowneyegirl — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:00:33 GMT

A local HomeHealth agency has such tree set up in local credit unions. They select seniors that do not have family or a lot of means.

I usually grab several each year. Some of the things they ask for are more necessities than "gifts" it breaks my heart.

I collect things all year that are common requests, like puzzle books, lotion, chap stick, etc.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Noel7 — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:06:14 GMT

If anyone is interested, Target, Walmart and Amazon have a nice looking cane with the curve handle for stability for only $10.

I hope that information is OK to post. It breaks my heart that there are elderly people who need help walking and don't have it... that's all they want for Christmas.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Noel7 — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:05:37 GMT

@Abrowneyegirl wrote:
A local HomeHealth agency has such tree set up in local credit unions. They select seniors that do not have family or a lot of means.
I usually grab several each year. Some of the things they ask for are more necessities than "gifts" it breaks my heart.
I collect things all year that are common requests, like puzzle books, lotion, chap stick, etc.

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@Abrowneyegirl

Yes, I saw several requests for puzzle and crossword books, too! Where can you buy them?

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

momtochloe — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:09:15 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
I was in Walgreens the other day and on the counter I noticed a small Christmas tree, the Senior Giving Tree.

I looked it over, one man wanted chocolates, others had various other small requests, but I was struck by the number of elderly customers who asked for a cane.

Such a simple basic need that would be a Christmas gift for someone. It touched me deeply.

Have others noticed Senior Giving Trees in their drugstores or other places? What a wonderful idea, imo, giving directly to our neighbors.

@Noel7 thanks so much for posting as I normally don't shop Walgreen's but will swing by there this weekend to see if I can help . . .

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Abrowneyegirl — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:10:53 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
@Abrowneyegirl wrote:
A local HomeHealth agency has such tree set up in local credit unions. They select seniors that do not have family or a lot of means.
I usually grab several each year. Some of the things they ask for are more necessities than "gifts" it breaks my heart.
I collect things all year that are common requests, like puzzle books, lotion, chap stick, etc.
**************************

@Abrowneyegirl

Yes, I saw several requests for puzzle and crossword books, too! Where can you buy them?

My local grocery store (surprise) has a decent supply of large print puzzle books! A friend also tells me to check the dollar stores.

This year I also bought fun color markers and pens to put with the books.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Lucky Charm — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:13:39 GMT

Hi Noel! I think you can get crosswords and puzzles right there in the drugstores.

I rarely go in to drug stores, do all my shopping at grocery stores.

But I'm sure you can get canes right in the drugstore, too.

These drugstores have turned into department stores around here.

I wonder if they have a *bank* of donations that can go towards meds that people can't afford out of pocket. That would be a good idea.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Noel7 — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:14:48 GMT

@Abrowneyegirl wrote:
@Noel7 wrote:
@Abrowneyegirl wrote:
A local HomeHealth agency has such tree set up in local credit unions. They select seniors that do not have family or a lot of means.
I usually grab several each year. Some of the things they ask for are more necessities than "gifts" it breaks my heart.
I collect things all year that are common requests, like puzzle books, lotion, chap stick, etc.
**************************

@Abrowneyegirl

Yes, I saw several requests for puzzle and crossword books, too! Where can you buy them?
My local grocery store (surprise) has a decent supply of large print puzzle books! A friend also tells me to check the dollar stores.
This year I also bought fun color markers and pens to put with the books.

***************************

@Abrowneyegirl

Thank you, I will do what I can to find them, and I love the idea of color markers.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

lolakimono — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:17:06 GMT

@Noel7

There are lots available (by the case too) at Dollar Tree.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Noel7 — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:18:22 GMT

@Lucky Charm wrote:
Hi Noel! I think you can get crosswords and puzzles right there in the drugstores.

I rarely go in to drug stores, do all my shopping at grocery stores.

But I'm sure you can get canes right in the drugstore, too.

These drugstores have turned into department stores around here.

I wonder if they have a *bank* of donations that can go towards meds that people can't afford out of pocket. That would be a good idea.

*****************************

Hi @Lucky Charm

I asked if they carried canes there and the counter clerk said no... but I think you're right, I should be able to find those puzzle books there.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Noel7 — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:19:29 GMT

Perfect @lolakimono !

I'll go there, thank you

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

drizzellla — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:35:17 GMT

I am curious - how do you get the items to the people who asked for them? I can't see giving out the people's address. So any stranger could walk up to their residence. And Walgreen's would deliver the items?

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Daisy Sunflower — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 04:27:25 GMT

Dollar Tree also sells adult coloring books. Be sure to buy a box of colored pencils and a pencil sharpener, too.

Although, many might prefer children's coloring books and crayons...easier to see and handle.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Noel7 — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:40:09 GMT

@drizzellla wrote:
I am curious - how do you get the items to the people who asked for them? I can't see giving out the people's address. So any stranger could walk up to their residence. And Walgreen's would deliver the items?

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@drizzellla

My understanding is that Walgreens has a way to contact them to come in for their Christmas wish gift.

The donor brings the gift in, chooses a tag, and they are put together.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

cherry — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:41:22 GMT

@drizzellla wrote:
I am curious - how do you get the items to the people who asked for them? I can't see giving out the people's address. So any stranger could walk up to their residence. And Walgreen's would deliver the items?

You just buy the item and the store will make sure it goes to the right person

We have a giving tree at our church, and I think social services takes care of the distributions

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Noel7 — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:42:00 GMT

Good points @Daisy Sunflower

I really like the idea of looking for large print books, too.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

cherry — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:45:17 GMT

Does a cane have to be fit to the person using it, or is it one size fits all? I think a hospital supply place would have them

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Noel7 — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:48:36 GMT

@cherry wrote:
Does a cane have to be fit to the person using it, or is it one size fits all? I think a hospital supply place would have them

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Hi @cherry

The ones I've seen and ordered are adjustable for height.

Re: Elderly In Need: Senior Giving Trees

Carmie — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 01:50:59 GMT

@cherry wrote:
Does a cane have to be fit to the person using it, or is it one size fits all? I think a hospital supply place would have them

Durable equipment companies sell canes and they are COVERED BY MEDICARE. There are many sizes and some have adjustable heights.