(Melfort Secret Santa for Seniors/Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

Seniors in need

Ninth annual Melfort Secret Santa for Seniors growing in numbers, adds Kinistino to covered regions

Dec 5, 2022 | 5:00 PM

For the ninth time, Melfort Secret Santa for Seniors will help local seniors in need be able to celebrate the Christmas season.

This year, gifts won’t just go to seniors in Melfort, as those in Kinistino will also be a part of the non-profit’s event.

According to project founder, Cassie Davis, numbers continue to grow, which included a considerable increase this year.

“With inflation, we’ve seen a lot more seniors in need of food, and help and assistance in everyday things that they require. We’re seeing a shift in the needs, so we’ve reached out to a couple of other areas, so we have Kinistino involved in the program as well this year,” Davis said.

Homecare facilities distinguish the seniors who are in need during this time of year and bring them forth to the program.

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

Dec 12, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

All recipients were chosen by Dec. 1 and now people will have the chance to shop for them, according to their needs/wish lists until Dec. 15.

“A lot of the needs this year have shifted to food, and a lot of gift cards to the Co-Op as well,” Davis added. “We’re seeing a big change that way, it’s less a new sweater or things like that; it’s basic everyday needs now.”

Christmas bulbs, which are currently hung on trees at the Melfort Home Hardware and Daisies Dream and Decor, display the seniors’ names as well as their list.

People can then sort out which person may speak to them or fit their budget, and select however many gifts they choose to purchase.

Gifts will then be returned to these same businesses, fully wrapped, and delivered to the seniors after the fundraiser is completed.

Cash donations are also being welcomed in case people don’t have time to shop with the shopping then being done for them.

“This is developed to let seniors know that they’re still cared for and thought of by the community, especially at the holiday time,” Davis said. “Some of the seniors in the program could be low income, they could be lacking family or friends in the area, or they just needed a reminder that they are cared for and thought of.”

In the beginning, the organization helped roughly 50 to 60 seniors every year. Now, according to Davis, they help well over 150.

Davis, who is originally from Saskatoon, said the city had a similar program.

Due to her work as the owner of the local Dairy Queen, Davis saw a need for seniors through her daily interactions. She got to work to ensure there was a program to support them for the holidays.

“The seniors truly do appreciate it every year when we bring them their gifts,” she said. “They’re always so touched that someone thought about them, and it’s just the most heartwarming and beautiful thing to be a part of.”

–

Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8