Pick a tag, donate pet supplies to make Christmas magic for Johnson County seniors

There’s no age limit for Christmas joy.

Johnson County Senior Services is asking for help from the public to give their clients a brighter holiday. The local organization has long had the senior tree campaign, but this year a pet food drive is also being held to help senior’s companion animals and take stress off of seniors. Both programs will work together to help both seniors and their pets enjoy the holiday, said Kim Smith, executive director.

Senior trees

The Seniors Still Believe campaign seeks to give seniors who are alone during the holidays something to smile about by connecting them with folks who want to give them a few special gifts. The JCSS program was created out of necessity several years ago after two previous partnerships for a Christmas program dissolved.

Names of clients, along with names submitted by the public and from local nursing homes and assisted living facilities all go on trees that are placed at local Kroger stores, the Whiteland Town Hall and several other businesses around the county. The senior trees campaign also expanded digitally with help from local Chick-fil-A restaurants, Smith said.

To help seniors through Chick-fil-A, customers can scan QR codes that are posted in restaurants to see an Amazon Wish List of items for seniors. Using this option, people can order items off the list and they will be sent to the Chick-fil-A restaurant. Employees will handle wrapping the gifts and getting them to JCSS, Smith said.

Johnny Carino’s is hosting a collection box where people can drop off items for seniors such as blankets, robes, socks, gloves, snacks, gift cards and toiletries. Items collected at this box will go to seniors who need help but didn’t get their name on the tree, Smith said.

Last year the giving campaign helped 3,200 seniors and Smith expects to help that many or more this year, she said.

The gifts seniors are asking for are not extravagant, but rather little things we often take for granted, such as warm socks, blankets or snacks. Though inexpensive, the gifts could make a difference for seniors who are feeling down during the holidays, she said.

“It is so much more than the blankets and the socks,” Smith said. “It is that touch and that human connection that they seek.”

The gifts let local seniors know they matter to someone and are a big boost to their mental health. Smith knows the gesture was a life-saver for at least one senior who was on the verge of giving up, she said.

Gifts are due Dec. 11, and can either be taken to the location where the tag was picked up, or to the JCSS office at 36 Tracy Road, New Whiteland. Participants should keep the tag and put it with the gifts when they are dropped off.

People who don’t have time to shop but want to help seniors can donate money online. Donations can be made at jcseniorservices.org or by dropping off or mailing a check to the JCSS office.

Pet food drive

The PAWSititivity Pet Food Drive is a new JCSS initiative, rising from a trend that Smith saw with senior tree wishlists. Year after year, she saw seniors ask for pet items instead of gifts for themselves.

Smith decided to make a separate initiative that would allow seniors to focus more on their own needs. They often make sacrifices for their pets because of their limited incomes year-round — not just during the holidays, Smith said.

“Having a pet gives them an enhanced quality of life. To think they couldn’t care for their pet is heart-wrenching they would sacrifice for their fur friend,” she said. “We want to make sure both of their needs are taken care of.”

JCSS plans to help seniors with pet items year-round, but the drive is kicking into high gear at the holidays. The organization is partnering with Johnson County Animal Control for the pet food pantry. It will accent the human food pantry that is available to local seniors in need, Smith said.

Already the pantry has given away 36,516 pounds of food in just two months thanks to a truck-load of food that was dropped off just days after JCSS entered the partnership with animal control, Smith said.

Pet supplies such as food, litter, treats and toys can be donated in several drop boxes around the county. People can also donate by purchasing items off JCSS’s PAWSitivity Pet Program Amazon Wish List.

JCSS is also looking for donations to build a mini barn at the office to house the pet food pantry, Smith said.

HOW TO GIVE BACK

Senior trees

Pick up a gift tag from a Christmas tree at the location, purchase gifts, place the gifts under the tree with the tag.

• Kroger: 970 N. Morton St., Franklin; 5961 N State Rd 135, Bargersville; 2200 Independence Drive and 3100 Meridian Parke Drive, Greenwood
• Carhartt, inside the Greenwood Park Mall, 1251 N. U.S. 31
• Main Street Hospice, 10 Highland Avenue, Franklin
• Century 21 Scheetz, 1533 Olive Branch Parke Lane, Suite A, Greenwood
• Whiteland Town Hall, 549 E. Main St.

Amazon Wish List

Scan the QR code, purchase gifts and Chik-Fil-A employees will do the rest.

• Chick-fil-A locations: 2020 E. County Line Road, Indianapolis, and 155 Marlin Drive, Greenwood

Senior donation box

Drop off items for seniors in a red plaid-wrapped donation box at Johnny Carino’s, 920 N. U.S. 31, Greenwood.

Needed items include:

• Gift cards
• Throws and blankets
• Non-slip slippers
• Snacks like candy, nuts, crackers, chips
• Socks and diabetic socks
• Pet supplies
• Hats, gloves and scarves
• Activity books like crosswords, word search, Sudoku
• Music CDs
• Cleaning supplies and toiletries
• Stamps, stationary and greeting cards
• Canned food

Pet donation box

Drop off pet items for seniors at the following locations:

• Tractor Supply, 1540 N. Morton St., Franklin
• Johnson County Animal Shelter, 2160 N. Graham Road, Franklin
• White River Township Fire, 366 N. Morgantown Road, Greenwood
• Greenwood Fire Headquarters, 155 E. Main St.
• Johnson County Senior Services, 36 Tracy Road, New Whiteland

Pet items can also be donated via JCSS’s PAWSitivity Pet Program Amazon Wish List