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The Suffolk Sheriff’s Office has started a new project to bring seniors joy during the holiday season. Their office’s new “Santa for Seniors” program aims to bring holiday gifts to Suffolk seniors dealing with loneliness, minimal friendship and family during Christmas time, and financial hardship. To make this happen, the office is working with Suffolk Automotive Dealerships to help collect donations and gifts from the community. 

Dealerships participating in donation collections include Mike Duman Mitsubishi on 2300 Godwin Blvd., Barton Ford on 1600 N. Main St., Duke Automotive on 2016 N. Main St., First Team Subaru on 4834 B. Bridge Rd., and First Team Kia on 4834 A Bridge Rd. Collections will end on Saturday, Dec. 16, and will follow with distribution on Monday, Dec. 18. Deputy Major David Miles talked about what inspired the Sheriff’s Office to create the holiday program. 

“On the heels of the Senior Expo, we were motivated to find new ways to connect and support our senior community, especially during the holiday season,” Miles said. “The Santa for Seniors program allows us to reach a portion of our senior community that we miss while engaging our nursing homes throughout the year.”

Miles talked about the exciting opportunity to work with the dealerships for this project.

“The Santa for Seniors program has allowed us the opportunity to create new community partnerships with the car dealerships in the city,” he said. “We were excited to see the level of enthusiasm of the local dealerships.”

The gift suggestions for the program include slippers, socks, bathrobes, calendars, books, board games and movies. Likewise, snacks and toiletry items are welcome as well. Miles expressed the need for all items to be brand new. Finally, he gave a word of thanks to those who supported the effort.

“We thank the car dealerships and citizens of Suffolk whose generosity and support allows us to serve our seniors,” Miles said.