By Tracy Agnew

When you’re Christmas shopping this year, consider taking some time to shop for a local senior in need of some holiday cheer.

Home Instead Senior Care’s “Be a Santa to a Senior” program is back, and there are about 115 seniors at Autumn Care of Suffolk who could benefit from the thoughtfulness of others.

Three trees are available at area businesses with tags listing gift suggestions for each senior. About 40 of the tags already have been claimed, said Deneen Evans, client care coordinator at Home Instead Senior Care.

The usual tree location, Walmart on Suffolk’s North Main Street, wouldn’t allow the tree this year. But two local businesses have stepped up, and a third tree is available at the Home Instead office.

“We’re still hopeful that all the names will be collected,” Evans said.

“I love doing it,” said Jaimie McMillen, owner of Jaimie’s Classy Cuts and Nails at 79 E. Windsor Blvd. in Windsor, next door to the fire station. “I really enjoy being able to help. If it wasn’t for our seniors, we wouldn’t be here.”

McMillen’s shop is hosting one of the trees. The other is located at Dr. Barry Stewart’s practice, Windsor Neck and Back Clinic, at 70 E. Windsor Blvd.

The Home Instead Senior Care office is located at 3614 Pruden Blvd. in Suffolk.

The tags include a personalized wish list for each senior as well as general gift suggestions such as large-print word search and books, sugar-free candy, toiletries, lap blankets and throws, gloves, hats and slippers.

The deadline to return gifts to the location where the tag was picked up is Dec. 1. Gifts should not be wrapped when they are returned to the collection area, and the tag should be attached to the gift.

A gift bag stuffing party will be held at Home Instead Senior Care on Dec. 5, and the gifts will be distributed on Dec. 6.

Call 774-5051 for more information.