GASTONIA, N.C. — Everyday items, like body wash and toilet paper, can be hard to afford, especially for seniors living in the Gaston County area.
“Many seniors in our community are living off fixed incomes. Those essentials help them stretch their pennies,” said Andrea Stephens, President of the United Way of Gaston County.
The hardships that many seniors face is the reason the nonprofit started its senior Christmas Wishes program a couple of years ago.
“Each senior citizen can request a want, a need, and a read," Stephens said. "We pull an item from the application, and we go out and shop and fulfill at least one want, one need, and one read."
Stephens says the program is for people ages 60 and up.
People fill out the application with a want, that can be anything within reason. A need could be soap or even bed sheets. Finally, a read is a book of their choice.
The United Way is currently collecting and bagging up the items. They plan to give them out during pick-up days in mid-December.
“Just reading some of these applications, it really humbles you. We just got one in the mail. A lady said, 'Thank you, thank you, thank you!' three times. (She said) 'this is the only Christmas I get. I’m a widow and I have no family in town,'" said Somer Saunders, the organization’s Campaign and Donor Relations Manager.
Since starting the program, the United Way said that it has helped hundreds of seniors.
Their goal this year is to help around 300 to 400 people.
“Seeing it from start to finish, I’ll probably shed some tears as well,” said Saunders.
Applications are due by Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. People can email applications to ssaunders@unitedwaygaston.org or mail them to 200 E. Franklin Boulevard Gastonia, NC 28052.
For information on donations, contact ssaunders@unitedwaygaston.org.