By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
If you know of a senior citizen or a senior couple living in the area who are going to be alone for the holidays, there is a way you can help them still enjoy a little Christmas cheer.
FreeHelpCK is running its seventh annual ‘Adopt-A-Senior’ for Christmas program.
The volunteer organization is asking residents if they know of any local seniors – individuals and couples – living on their own with no other family in the area, to consider ‘adopting’ them.
Volunteers from FreeHelpCK will visit the local residents nominated in the Adopt-A-Senior program on Christmas Eve to deliver a turkey meal, gifts, and holiday greeting cards to each individual.
The program is available to any senior in Chatham-Kent who is over the age of 65 with no family in the area and limited mobility that prevents them from going out.
Kim Scoyne, local coordinator for the FreeHelpCK initiative, said seven Ridgetown area residents have already been nominated for this year’s Adopt-A-Senior program.
“We still have some seniors in the Ridgetown area waiting to be adopted,” Scoyne said. “We want to make sure everyone is remembered at Christmas time.”
You can nominate a senior or seniors online at www.freehelpck.ca/our-programs/senior-programs/adopt-a-senior/. Nominations can also be made by email to freehelpck@gmail.com or by calling 519-990-5178.
The deadline for nominations is Monday, Dec. 15.
“For many seniors across Chatham-Kent, Christmas can be an incredibly lonely time,” read a statement on the FreeHelpCK website. “Some live entirely alone, some cannot afford meals through other programs, and many face food insecurity every single month.
Our Adopt-a-Senior program fills that gap with compassion, dignity, and love.”
Residents can also participate in the ‘Adopt-A-Senior’ Christmas program by making a financial contribution or by donating a gift and personalized greeting card.
FreeHelpCK will use the donations to purchase food items and gifts as financial donations can be e-transferred to freehelpck@gmail.com.
Suggested gift ideas are throwback blankets, non-slip slippers, puzzle books, tea towels, tea, coffee, food and snack items, and gift cards.
If you would like to donate a gift and card, send an email to freehelpck@gmail.com to arrange for pickup.
Another way to contribute is through the Angels Trees option, where residents can visit a designated location and choose an angel from a Christmas tree.
The ‘angel’ contains gift suggestions a senior would appreciate, which residents would go out and purchase.
The Angel Trees are available at Impact Graphics (7 Industrial Road), CSN Collision (70 Borrowman Ave.), Andy’s Place Restaurant (419 St. Clair St.), Teppermans (535 Grand Ave. E.), Active Life Style Centre (20 Merritt), and Forever Steeped Loose Leaf Tea (15B King St. E.), all in Chatham.
New this year is an Angels Meal option, where residents can sponsor a meal for the Adopt-A-Senior program at three locations in Chatham – Fuel4You (34 Byng Ave), What’s For Dinner (6 Lowe St.), and Eli’s Breakfast & Lunch (177 Queen St.).
FreeHelpCK runs a Seniors Meals program in Chatham-Kent year-round, a compassionate initiative dedicated to supporting the elderly in the community by ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.
Seniors who are unable to leave their homes or prepare their own meals receive free, wholesome meals delivered to their doorstep every Monday and Thursday.
According to 2024 community data, more than 28% of seniors in Chatham-Kent live alone, and nearly one in five experience food insecurity or struggle to afford basic meals.
FreeHelpCK runs several other programs in the community, including Operation Backpack, Prom and Grad formal wear giveaway, and community gardens. The organization also runs food pantries throughout Chatham-Kent, including one in Ridgetown located at the Br. 243 Legion.
For more information, visit their website www.freehelpck.ca.
The ‘Adopt-A-Senior’ Christmas program is not associated with the ‘Santa for Seniors,’ which benefits seniors living in retirement and nursing homes.
