Nov
2018
A good cause: London Drugs pays it forward with Stocking Stuffers for Seniors
Hot off the heels of Giving Tuesday, earlier this week I visited my local (and only) London Drugs location here in Winnipeg since they are doing a holiday event for a good cause.
From November 19 to December 10, every London Drugs location is taking part in a holiday campaign called Stocking Stuffers for Seniors, where they hope to help approximately 15,000 lonely, isolated, low-income, or homeless seniors over the holiday season in partnership with more than 90 care homes or senior organizations throughout Western Canada.
The holidays are a joyous time for many, but for seniors it can be lonely, and as a result, socially-isolated seniors are more at risk of negative health behaviours including drinking, smoking, being sedentary, and not eating well. They are also at a higher risk of falls, and have four to five times greater risk of hospitalization.
To combat this, Stocking Stuffers For Seniors is a customer-driven donation drive in which people can visit their local London Drugs, choose a tag from the tree that contains the personalized wish list of a local senior, and then you can shop for their items on their list in store, where they are then delivered to the seniors before Christmas. Some of the most popular items seniors ask for are books or magazines, blankets and throws, kitchen essentials, candy or chocolate, puzzles or board games, slippers, warm clothes like gloves, paper towels and tissues, gift cards, and travel mugs.
I popped into the London Drugs Winnipeg location at St. Vital mall this past Wednesday and was so excited to see that the tree already ran out of tags for their home car partner. Since the campaign is still ongoing until December 10, this location is doing a boost drive for the ALS Society, providing donations to even more seniors. This secondary campaign still had tags on the tree, but the store was asking that people purchase Boost or Ensure, which would then be delivered to seniors in need.
I have to be honest, as much as it pains me to say this, I don’t go visit my baba as much as I should. We all live busy lives and I think we often forget about the seniors in our lives and the loneliness they must feel. I also don’t think that my generation necessarily realizes that a lot of seniors can’t afford basic necessities, like warm socks, paper towels, or even things to keep them entertained like books or magazines. Although there are so many wonderful organizations and charities out there, I love that London Drugs is focusing their efforts this season on seniors. Just the act of a gift helps to significantly improve the spirits of a senior and can have lasting mental and physical health benefits.
Please check out your local London Drugs location if you are located in Western Canada to take part in this amazing campaign. Even if it’s something as simple as picking up a three-dollar magazine for someone, it will make all the difference for that person this holiday season. And I mean, isn’t that what the holidays is all about?
How do you pay it forward during the holiday season?
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