Vernon is among Okanagan London Drugs stores brightening the holidays for the elderly.
Initially, those wanting to fulfil those wishes can purchase the items and return them to London Drugs by Dec. 10 and the items will be delivered to the seniors just in time for Christmas. However, for those who still want to donate, the fundraiser has been extending until Friday.
“Due to the overwhelming response, we are extending the Stocking Stuffers For Seniors program at London Drugs until Dec. 14. Thank you o our amazing community. If you haven’t gotten around to it…this is a great opportunity to support our Seniors and bring a little cheer,” wrote Kari Graham Wutzke to a Vernon Facebook group.
Related: Stockings brighten season for Okanagan seniors
The Canadian retailer will help approximately 15,000 lonely, isolated, low-income or homeless seniors over the holiday season in partnership with more than 90 care homes or senior organizations throughout Western Canada.
Locally, eight care homes and the Salvation Army are partnered with the Vernon store.
Stocking Stuffers for Seniors is a customer-driven donation drive in which people can visit their local London Drugs and choose a tag from the tree that contains the personalized wish list of a local senior.
An estimated 1.4 million seniors reported feelings of loneliness, and socially isolated seniors are more at risk of negative health behaviours, have a higher likelihood of falls; and, have a four-to-five times greater risk of hospitalization.
The donation drive concept originated in the Okanagan and expanded to Edmonton in 2015 with a goal to help 40 low-income seniors by providing them with simple gifts such as food, hygiene products or warmth items. The campaign has grown quickly to now include all 80 London Drugs locations in 35 cities across Western Canada. Since the campaign started, gifts for approximately 14,500 seniors have been delivered.
Related: Okanagan boy helping launch B.C. Children’s Hospital Christmas fundraiser
Related: Vernon summer auction helps families at Christmas
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