A new program designed to assist elderly, home-bound citizens during the holidays has been introduced to the community this year.

Community Action Commission of Fayette County, in coordination with the Commission on Aging, ERA and Associates, and other volunteers, have named this program, “Santa for seniors.”

“This program is designed to provide a Christmas gift and a basket of goods for some of our elderly home-bound citizens,” said Mekia Rhoades, the mobility manager at Community Action. “These citizens live on a fixed income and do not have the means to buy certain personal hygiene products after bills have been paid and prescriptions have been bought.”

Some do not have family that live close or any family at all who visit them during the holidays, said Rhoades. “Santa for seniors” will provide these citizens with a gift and a basket containing items they need and cannot always afford.

“We received several donations from citizens in the community to help with providing these baskets,” said Rhoades. “The committee that is made of local people volunteering their time have been collecting items and donations so that we are able to have an idea of how many boxes we will be able to provide.”

Donations have been made by the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies, the United Way, Merchants National Bank, PNC Bank, Sugar Creek Packing, and Tanger Outlets.

Commission on Aging and local home health agencies are providing the committee with names and addresses of the citizens who are the most in need. On Dec. 19, the boxes will be delivered.

Community Action of Fayette County is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.