Volunteers with Santa for Seniors gathered Saturday, Dec. 13, to prepare Christmas gifts for residents of the nursing home and homebound seniors throughout the Lovelock area, continuing a holiday tradition that has brought comfort and cheer to local elders for more than three decades.
Santa’s Helpers spent the day organizing and preparing presents for delivery, ensuring each recipient would receive a gift in time for Christmas. Among the volunteers was one “junior elf,” who briefly traded gift preparation for a game of shuffleboard, adding a lighthearted moment to the day’s work.
The Santa for Seniors program was founded nearly 30 years ago by Pat Rowe, who believed no senior should feel forgotten during the holidays. What began as a small effort has grown into a long-standing community tradition, supported each year by donations and volunteer time.
Today, the program is carried forward by a group of dedicated local volunteers including Janice Rutherford, Jill Plimpton, Shauna Bake, Gabby Switzer, Virginia Rose, Sherry Coyle, and Bonnie Skoglie, who work together to keep the spirit of the program alive.
Last year, the Pershing County High School leadership class assisted with delivering 75 Santa for Seniors packages to local residents, underscoring the multi-generational support that has helped sustain the effort over the years.
Santa for Seniors takes donations that are used directly to purchase gifts for seniors living in long-term care or confined to their homes.
Through the work of volunteers and community support, Santa for Seniors continues to deliver more than presents each December, offering connection, kindness, and a reminder that Lovelock’s seniors are remembered.
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