By Greg Ellison

(Dec. 3, 2020) The outpouring of support from the Ocean Pines community was immediate when the annual “Be a Santa to a Senior” holiday outreach program was launched last month that it overcame the chilling effects of covid-19.

Since 2016, the OPA has worked with Home Instead Senior Care in Berlin on the  yuletide venture to provide senior citizens with cheer and help at Christmas, said Recreation Department Program Supervisor Brittany Jarman.

“Every year we have a great turnout and support from the people in Ocean Pines,” she said.

For the past four years, the “Be a Santa to a Senior” Christmas tree in the community center has been filled with tags listing specific items requested by local seniors. Those items are gift-wrapped and returned to the community center.

Jarman said after hanging up an initial batch of gift tags on the community center Christmas tree in early November, the requests were quickly snapped up, and more recently a second round also went at lightning speed.

“They were gone within 48 hours from the time that we received them,” she said. “They brought a few more last week that are all gone as well.”

Home Care Consultant Crystal Heiser said Berlin-based Home Instead Senior Care franchise owners Corrie and Don Boger have participated in the charitable venture since opening the location nearly a half dozen years ago.

“We have always participated in the program,” she said. “Last year we sent over 760 gifts into the community through Be a Santa to a Senior.”

Heiser said the program addresses needs for homebound  seniors or assisted living individuals in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties.

“We also provide for veterans, Diakonia and different organizations that need a little extra help,” she said.

Heiser said before the pandemic outbreak in March, the goal was to top last year but was subsequently adjusted downward.

“Our initial goal for this year was going to be 200 and we just tapped out at 400,” she said. “It’s not 800 but we did beat our 200 goal …  so I’m thankful.”

In a similar fashion, the tag count for the Ocean Pines tree was also adjusted downward for 2020, Heiser said.

“They had upwards of 40, which is a lot less than typical,” she said.

In previous years the number of gift requests filled through the Ocean Pines Senior Tree has been roughly double the current tally and typically sends joy to at least 70 recipients.

“They’ve done an amazing job and they’re one of our biggest supporters,” she said. “They reached out to me to make sure that we were going to be hosting the program this year because initially it was on the fence.”

Heiser said the requests are generally low-cost basic need items.

“One of our assisted living gentleman — he asked for a shaving kit and a soft blanket,” she said. “Another lady wanted a poodle calendar and hard candy.”

Jarman said the ventures beneficiaries are always grateful.

“We appreciate it and so do all the seniors who receive a gift who might not have otherwise,” she said. “We hope that next year we can have more seniors participating.”

Jarman said the window has not closed for anyone still wishing to chip in support for the program this year.

“If people still want to shop, they can do it online,” she said.

Interested parties should visit www.beasanta toasenior.com and under the “Find a Tree” tab search for zip code 21811 and select a bulb virtually.

“You should be able to click a bulb from the virtual tree and then you can shop on Amazon and it will be delivered to them,” she said.

Jarman said the program assists seniors lacking Christmas kindness.

“Seniors might … need just basic essentials that many people have access to that they don’t,” she said. “Sometimes it’s just a little bit more needed during the holidays.”