Gift donations running low for Santa to a Senior program in Ventura

VENTURA, Calif. – A senior program in Ventura is still seeking donated holiday gifts for Ventura seniors in need, but organizers said they're running out of time.

The City of Ventura is hoping the community will contribute gift donations in the next several days for the Santa to a Senior program.

Sandra Castillo comes to the Ventura Avenue Adult Center, especially during the holiday season.

“I like to come in shoot the bowl with my peeps flirt with the old men … keep my brain going," said sneior Castillo of Ventura.

But for many seniors, the holidays can be a difficult time.

“There’s a lot of them that don’t have families … lots of them … and they come here just because they can sit down and they can bend your ear … and believe me they know how to bend your ear … but we have a lot of fun here … we have puzzles we have games," said volunteer Kaye Zerbes of the Ventura Avenue Adult Center.

The City of Ventura is inviting the community to contribute gift donations for the Santa to a Senior program in the next several days.

“This is a highlight of the season for them … Some of them don’t have family in town … some of them … this will be the gift that they get … and they just light up … it’s so endearing to see how excited they get when they receive their gifts," said supervisor Janine Cobian of the City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Department.

The city encourages anyone to donate gifts so every senior receives something for the holidays.

"It makes a big difference because a lot of them feel for the first time they either have a new brother or a new sister and brand new friend and that only that they’re invited to go different places," said Zerbes.

The initiative aims to bring holiday cheer to seniors aged 60 and above, affiliated with the Ventura Avenue Adult Center’s Senior Nutrition Program. 

“As long as your heart is in it … just give give give … because you’re the one that’s gonna get more out of it … than the person that receives it," said Zerbes.

Santa to a Senior is accepting holiday gifts for Ventura seniors through December 14.

Community members can also purchase a gift from the pre-approved wish list and deliver it to one of the designated drop-off locations.

Organizers of the program said about 200 seniors at the adult center look forward to the Santa to a Senior program every year.

If you would like to donate a gift to help a ventura senior in need this holiday season, visit: https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2197/Santa-to-a-Senior.

The city provided the following press release:

The City of Ventura invites the community to contribute gift donations for the Santa to a Senior program running until December 14, 2023. The initiative aims to bring holiday cheer to seniors aged 60 and above, affiliated with the Ventura Avenue Adult Center’s Senior Nutrition Program. This program caters to seniors through both in-person meals and homebound deliveries. 

"This marks our fifth year running Santa to a Senior, and we've made updates to the program to better serve the more than 200 seniors who participate annually," said Recreation Manager Emily Fox. “To ensure everyone feels the joy of receiving a gift this season, we kindly ask that the community choose items from our gift wish list. Your thoughtful contributions will make a meaningful difference in spreading holiday cheer to the seniors participating.” 

The pre-approved Santa to a Senior gift wish includes: 

• $25 Gift Card (major grocery/pharmacy/retail stores) 
• Bath/Hand Towels 
• Gloves/Scarf (unisex) 
• Nail Trimmer/Manicure Tools 
• Non-slip Socks (unisex) 
• Soaps/Lotions/Scrubs 
• Throw Blanket (unisex) 
• Toiletry Items (unisex)

To donate to the Santa to a Senior program, visit the holiday display tree to choose a gift. Trees are located at City Hall Room 226 and the Ventura Aquatic Center. 

Participants can also purchase a gift from the pre-approved wish list and deliver it to one of the designated drop-off locations. New, unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at Ventura City Hall, Ventura Aquatics Center, Ventura Avenue Adult Center, and Barranca Vista Center. 

Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/SantatoaSenior for complete program details or call the Parks and Recreation Department at 805-658-4726.