DUMAS, TEXAS -- It seems there's always one group that gets overlooked during the holidays -- senior citizens struggle to provide gifts for their families, and also, sometimes, struggle just to get by.
A few seniors citizens in Dumas feeling that holiday stress got a little relief Monday when "Santa For Seniors" came knocking at the door. Accolade Home Care and the Dumas Police Department teamed up and asked the community to gather supplies for seniors in need this christmas.
"Everybody is getting on board," said Accolade Home Care Account Coordinator, Tiffany Lewis. "The school system, little businesses here in Dumas are coming together and just giving more than they could every imagine to give and so it's just been a surprise. Tooth paste, tooth brushes, definitely the shampoos and conditioners, toiletries and toilet paper, paper towels. We're doing blankets to help keep warm," she added.
Around 75 seniors were nominated for the program and among them were the Gallegos'.
"There's times when we don't have enough to buy tissue, you know, or stuff like that," said longtime Dumas resident, Francis Gallegos. "You don't know what this means to us. It's something that some people have it and some don't and they have made it possible for a lot of people to have things that they didn't have," added Gallegos.
This was the first year for Accolade and Dumas PD to organize "Santa For Seniors", but Lewis says, it certainly won't be the last.
"A lot of times in the community, seniors really don't get to have Christmas gifts so if they do get one, even it it's toiletries, they're elated," Lewis said. "I'm hoping it means as much to them as it does to us as it's come together."
Judging by the numerous 'thank you's', tears and hugs passed around at the Gallegos' house, it seems that wish, too, had been granted.
"How it has sunk in how people can be so gracious and so helping to others that need help," said Gallegos. "I pray that I can do the same thing with the little that I have."
