The end of November is here and with that, the start of the holiday season begins.

This year, as has been the case for the past three years, Dyer Drug is offering a way for people in the community to help senior citizens in Clinton County have a better holiday season.

The Secret Santa for Seniors has been successful in past years. Dyer Drug has a tree located in the front of the store and has ornaments with items needed for different people.

The names have been removed, but each ornament is cataloged with a senior citizen who is in need of small items.

“We just realized that there is something missing for senior citizens here,” Pharmacist Arica Conner Collins said. “We realized there were many seniors in our community who might not have a lot of family or who have limited resources around the holidays, so my staff and I came up with this idea to do what we could to help those folks out.”

Collins said during the past few weeks, she has been speaking to people in the community and local businesses that may realize where the need is.

“We have received a collection of names and we have ornaments on the tree with some of their personal needs to make the holidays a little bit brighter,” Collins said. “There is no price limit on what they have to spend. It’s up to the individual on what they feel they want to give this time of the year.”

Those who have qualified for the Secret Santa for Seniors are those who are 55 years or older who may not have family or who are in need.

There are also other ways to donate to the Secret Santa for Seniors drive. There will be a container set up for those who would like to donate money instead of buying items. According to Collins, for the past four years there have been some ornaments that have not been taken, thus the money donated will be specifically used to purchase items for those individuals.

“The deadline for turning in an ornament is December 11,” Collins said. “We will be delivering on December 14 through December 18. We want to remind everyone to bring their items into us in a gift bag and not to wrap the items.”

Collins said they have had a really good response during the previous years they have operated the Secret Santa for Seniors drive.

“Everyone took part in the nomination process,” Collins said. “I think there are a lot of folks here who are capable of giving something to someone who doesn’t have much, so I think its a good way to remember those people. There are a lot of seniors who don’t have family members and there are a lot of seniors who spend the holidays alone. Anything we can do to bring a little bit of cheer to them in their lives is time well spent.”

There are many items that may not appear on an ornament but are helpful with the senior community, including blankets/throws, non-skid socks, personal care items, kitchen/bath towels, large print books, puzzle books, magazines, jar openers, calendars, coffee mugs/coffee, cold weather accessories (hats, gloves, scarves), food gifts and gift cards.

“I definitely think this is worth while and I would like to see this grow into more of a community effort,” Collins said. “I’m really hoping we have a good turnout.”

Collins said if anyone has any questions they can call the drug store or stop in and they can provide more information on the Secret Santa for Seniors.