Lions Club ensuring seniors have presents to open for Christmas

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Lions Club has effectively doubled the number of people they will deliver presents to through their Stuff a Stocking for a Senior campaign, over last year.

When the project kicked off in 2020, the team collected roughly 340 names of local seniors who they delivered simple presents to at Christmas. This time around, there are 680 names in the pile.

“Every one of those names is going to get a gift. If people don’t come and buy in, the Lions will make sure everybody gets a present,” said Marlene Rison, who is spearheading the project.

Risdon said names were collected throughout November from lodges, senior residences and from as many independent households as the team could reach.

Beginning Dec. 2 and leading up to Christmas, people can drop into The Rack on Third to pick up names of local seniors to find presents for.

“People take out the names and go shopping for the seniors. It’s like a Secret Santa kind of thing – they just take the name and go out for their senior,” said Risdon.

“All the presents have to be delivered by the 22nd so I can figure out how many are missing and then go shopping and make sure that everybody gets a present.”

The program was launched locally last year in response largely due to the effects of COVID-19 on seniors, causing many to feel isolated.

Risdon suggested that for some seniors who will benefit from the program, it will be the only presents they receive this year.

Ultimately, she added, the goal is to continue to grow the program annually and ensure that no senior feels isolated or alone come Christmas time.

“It’s been fantastic, we’ve got a lot of families coming in. It’s just all good … It’s really neat that a lot of kids and families are really participating in this,” said Risdon. 

For those who take a name but are unexpectedly unable to fill the request, Risdon asks the person let her know sooner rather than later to ensure the senior still gets a gift. 

“Stuff happens, people might get sick and they can’t get a present – they can’t fulfil it in time or something, so I’ve got to phone around and find out how many are missing.”

She added the response from the community thus far has been positive, as over 100 names have already been spoken for.