The annual Adopt-a-Grandparent program will continue to brighten the Christmas season for seniors in Comox Valley nursing homes.
Breanna Brosko, 18, initiated the program five years ago in an effort to do something special for residents at Glacier View Lodge, Casa Loma Seniors Village and the Cumberland Lodge. She erected a Christmas tree adorned with tags containing a gift suggestion at the Courtenay A&W.
People would select a tag and bring back a wrapped gift.
This year, the tree is at Jo Klassen’s Restaurant in Courtenay, where Brosko works as a server.
“The program this year is a bit different, as tags aren’t on a tree to minimize the number of people touching them,” said Brosko, who plans to study nursing next September.
The program has grown steadily. The first year garnered about 75 gifts. Last year, more than 300 ‘grandparents’ received a gift.
Brosko used to store gifts in her parents’ bedroom, but a storage unit was needed as the program grew. This year, after a recent move, she can store gifts in the garage of her home.
“Everything gets delivered on Christmas this year. With COVID, we’re quarantining everything so that gifts can go out and keep our seniors safe.”
Restaurant staff are distributing tags, and donors can return a wrapped present with the tag attached.
The gift deadline is Dec. 14.
For more information, find Adopt-a-Grandparent Comox Valley on Facebook.