The recession may be ending, but not for many of our seniors in need. Older Americans are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for essential items such as food, gas and medicine, not to mention utilities such as heating, cooling or phone service.

As the owner of Home Instead Senior Care for Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley, I have the very good fortune of being able to take part in a national corporate-founded program called Be a Santa to a Senior, a wonderful way for people to come together to make seniors' wishes come true during the holidays.

With the help of area non-profit organizations including the SCV Senior Center and the AV Committee on Aging, we will be able to identify local seniors in need. Trees will be put up in various locations, and ornaments with the first names of those seniors will be used to decorate the trees. The ornaments will indicate each senior's wish list...everything from grocery cards to bedding to warm night clothing and slippers.

Those of you who would like to purchase gifts for these seniors can take an ornament, buy the gifts, and return them to the tree location, where volunteers will pick them up, then help wrap and distribute them.

In addition to providing gifts, Be a Santa to a Senior offers human contact and social interaction for seniors who are unlikely to have family or guest visits during the holidays. And the resulting smiles and memories will be a gift we all can share.

We would appreciate your help in making this season one of joy and giving for seniors. Log onto www.beasantatoasenior.com to find the nearest gift site to you.

Charlene Perrone, CSA is the owner of Home Instead Senior Care 254-8701.