Seniors Secret Service

Seniors Secret Service Organization Overview: 

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for individuals 60 years or older who are alone or isolated in the community. We are a volunteer based non-profit organization that has been providing cheer to isolated and lonely seniors since 1985.  We currently operate three programs, two of which operate year-round. Additionally, since March of 2020, we have been supporting seniors who have basic needs that are not being met due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Christmas Cheer:

In 2022, over 6450 isolated seniors were matched with volunteer Secret Santas.  We provide the Secret Santa with a seniors profile and they go shopping and purchase needed items. Our seniors live in a range of different housing from independent living up to 24-hour care facilities.

In addition to the seniors we support during the holidays, we expect to help 3600 seniors through our Birthday Cheer program – brightening birthdays for seniors by providing basic care items like toothbrushes and shampoo, socks, and snacks, each senior also receives a handmade birthday card.  Seniors Secret Service also provides essentials for seniors through our Emergency Care program. Requests for basic needs arise year-round. Every day seniors arrive in hospitals or at long-term care facilities with only the clothes they are wearing – they desperately need socks, underwear, and toiletries. Specialized clothing is another frequent and expensive request we cannot fully meet through our Christmas Cheer program. People need items like winter clothing, special orthotic shoes, or adaptive shirts and pants that open in the back. These expenses are direct costs for Seniors Secret Service.

Funding:

At this time, we receive no government funding except for a casino fundraiser held every 18 months. We do not receive ongoing funding through the United Way.   All of our funds come from corporate, individual, and foundation donors. Our annual budget is approximately $300,000.  We operate with one full-time staff and several seasonal support staff at Christmas. 

Thank you notes received from our seniors

• “I left that box for 3 days and then opened it - took out the presents and placed them by my little tree and discovered the chocolates, candies and chai latte. Those gifts are more than I have had accumulative over the last decade! I would have been thrilled with a CD and a box of chocolates - just saying. I can hardly wait to open the presents! I’m like a little kid itching to open my presents! Thank you. “

• “I want to take a moment to say how much I appreciate all of the beautiful gifts that you gave me this Christmas!! All of the gifts are very special to me, and were presented so nicely!!! I especially enjoyed receiving the Eddie Bauer, scarf and hat as well two pairs of warm gloves! I’m grateful for all the thought and care that went into choosing these beautiful items. Thank you, all so very much for giving me a good Christmas! Also, thank you to the little Child who drew some pictures for me and sent a message to me in my Wonderful Christmas Card! I wish all of you A Very Happy and Healthy New Year!”

• “A huge thank you for the wonderful Christmas basket delivered to me.  It was so beautifully packed, with soft tissue and pretty little bags, that were a pleasure to open, and made extra special with the gifts for my cat to play with.  I have never seen her so excited, and everything was so lovely, perfect for both of us, the best Christmas gift I’ve had for a long while.  The hand soap is perfect for me, I love the smell. I loved the taste of new cookies, and chocolates I haven’t had before, such a treat.  My cat knew instantly that there was something for her in the box.  She was all over it on Christmas morning, and for a little girl of 7 yrs. now, she had a lot more spirit jumping all over the tissue and wrapping for days.  So lovely.  I can’t thank you enough for making our Christmas day memorable. Many, many thanks to all of you for this kind service.”