By Jesse Johnson
Christmas is a time for giving and sharing company with those you love. For Cobourg resident Vicky Davis, it’s another opportunity to spread joy with her annual Stuff a Stocking for a Senior Northumberland program. This will be her 7th year doing this program in Cobourg.
So far, the donations have not been coming in like they have in previous years.
The Stuff a Stocking for a Senior Northumberland Facebook page posted that “the workshop is looking a little bare this year. The elves don’t have a lot to do yet. I know it doesn’t look like Christmas outside, but, hopefully, we can get the feeling inside the workshop soon.”
The drop-off deadline is Dec. 8 and from there stockings will be prepared and dropped off at care homes ahead of Christmas Day.
The program provides much-needed items to seniors living in six long-term care facilities in Northumberland County. Davis says they stuff approximately 500-600 stockings each year.
How did this program start?
“My best friend Tracy, who lived in Orangeville, Ont., had a program called Hampers for Seniors, and then in 2016, she branched out to start Stockings for Seniors.
“I was very interested in finding out more about the stocking program because my mom had been in a long-term care facility. A lot of seniors had no one to come visit them nor did they receive anything on Christmas day.
“My mom passed away in 2014 and I wanted to start this program in her honour,” says Davis.
She says her favourite part about doing this is knowing there will be a lot of smiles on Christmas morning and that our seniors know that there is still a Santa Claus.
“We have so many caring and generous people in our community I want to thank everyone who has had a part in this program over the years.
“This year is especially important to carry through our goal because Tracy, who started this program, sadly passed away in August 2023,” she says.
Items that are needed for seniors include lip balm, washcloths, small notepads, Kleenex, mittens, lotions, combs, brushes, scarves, candy, pill boxes, pens, mints, shampoos, socks, baby powder, hair accessories, etc.
If you would like to support this cause, you can donate your items at 910 Fairbanks Road in Cobourg. Other drop-off locations include Just Brew It; Quinns Blooms; Top Cuts; Kawartha Credit Union; BMO Port Hope; and, Ganaraska Chiropractic. You can also visit the Stuff and Stocking for a Senior Northumberland Facebook page or call 905-373-5942 or 905-372-5855.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
