Local folks are encouraged to stop by the North Main Street Walmart this season and be a Santa to a senior.

A Christmas tree with dozens of ornaments listing local seniors and their gift requests has been placed in the customer service area at the store. Shoppers can pick ornaments from the tree, buy the gifts and return them unwrapped, with the ornament attached, to the store by Dec. 12.

Sponsored by the local Home Instead Senior Care office, the Be a Santa to a Senior program brings together area nonprofits, retailers, volunteers and members of the community to provide gifts and companionship for lonely seniors at Christmas.

“It is heartbreaking to think of the senior members of our community spending the holidays all by themselves, without any gifts or any way to celebrate the season,” said Larry Neal, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving the cities of Suffolk and Franklin as well as Isle of Wight and Southampton counties. “But all too often, that’s what happens when seniors live alone. It can be a really tough time of year for them.”

Program officials hope to collect about 300 gifts. Most of the gift recipients live at the Autumn Care nursing home on Pruden Boulevard, but people who know seniors in need can call 774-5051 to add to the list.

Gift requests listed for the seniors include clothing, jewelry, perfume, toiletries and more. Generic gift suggestions offered by Deneen Evans with Home Instead Senior Care also include sugar-free candy, large-print crossword puzzle books, hats and gloves.

Program partners and volunteers will wrap the gifts at a wrapping party at the Home Instead Suffolk office on Dec. 16. They will be distributed on Dec. 17.

“During this season of giving, we encourage shoppers to buy a little extra for a local senior,” Neal said. “Your gift could make their holiday season.”

For more information about the program, visit www.BeaSantatoaSenior.com or call 774-5051.