Local Secret Santas looking to help senior citizens this holiday season

Senior citizens who are without friends or family this season and would welcome some extra cheer can receive a free holiday gift bag with just a telephone call.

Thanks to the work of Yachats’ Amy Parker, the “South County Elves’ Secret Santa” drive will, for the fourth year, deliver a wrapped gift bag to eligible seniors in south Lincoln County.

The program is open to seniors from south of Newport through Seal Rock, Waldport and Yachats to Tenmile Creek. People can nominate someone or themselves by calling Parker at 541-270-4375. Callers need to leave a name, address and phone number in order to have the “elves” deliver gift bags Dec. 23.

The program is growing: last year, 150 seniors received gifts. This year’s expected total is 200, said Parker, who has about 15 donors and volunteers to help create the bags.

Each gift includes a handmade item, a personal product like lotion, something to eat and drink, and a “comfort” product like slipper socks.

Parker said that extra volunteers are welcome to a “wrap party” in Room 8 of the Yachats Commons beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Signups to receive a holiday bag ends Dec. 15, or until the 200 spots are filled, whichever comes first.

Parker began the program during the 2020 Covid lockdown, when 98 seniors were recipients. There’s special poignance for her this time around — her mother died last year. “She’s the reason I started it,” Parker said. “Christmas was her favorite holiday.”