Small Act, Big Impact: Senior Christmas Santa

Donations from across the region supported the scheme in 2025. Photo Credit: Prosepine Community Centre

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The Proserpine Community Centre will once again be spreading Christmas cheer amongst older residents, with the return of Senior Secret Santa.  

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The initiative will deliver thoughtful gifts to seniors who are spending the festive season away from family and friends, bringing local community groups and residents together to remind seniors that they are valued and supported by their community.

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Coordinator of the Proserpine Community Centre Ingrid Ruck shared that the scheme started when the centre was disheartened to hear that many seniors would be spending Christmas alone.  

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“Although we can’t be a substitute for family and friends, we want to give them a thoughtful, handpicked Christmas stocking from all of us to remind them that they live in a community that cares about them,” Ingrid shared.  

In the spirit of Christmas, the Proserpine Community Centre won't be doing the heavy lifting alone. Support from the wider community means the efforts will reach even more isolated seniors.  

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Small community groups like the Proserpine Scrapbooking Club will be making handmade Christmas cards to go with every gift, and the Proserpine Chat & Patch Quilting Club will be making drawstring bags as Santa Sacks.  

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From small community groups to nationwide supermarket chains, locals are pitching in where they can.  

Drake Supermarkets' Community Dollars scheme will also be supporting the initiative this year.  

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“Anyone who donates their Drakes Community Dollars to our Centre is helping us,” Ingrid said.  

“During the year we have raised enough money from one cent contributions to buy some wee gifts and Christmas goodies to go into each sack.”

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The community centre has brought the scheme back bigger and better than before, learning from past mistakes and always trying to learn. Like ‘not to use wrapping paper for 240 gifts!’

“It’s wasteful,” Ingrid said.  

“This year we are so lucky to be having handmade Santa Sacks made that will be more personal and much more environmentally friendly!”

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The centre will be collaborating with Helen from Meals on Wheels and Sue from the Seniors Team at the Library and many other community groups to deliver the presents safely to the seniors.  

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“We need to deliver these gifts safely, so that no older person has a stranger knocking on their door offering them a random gift.”

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Ingrid and the Proserpine Community Centre hope that the initiative reminds the seniors that they are surrounded by a community that cares about them and reminds the community that gift giving has nothing to do with money.  

“We hope it warms their hearts and makes them smile!” Ingrid said.  

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“As children, we learned that gift-giving was about being thoughtful, giving something the person might enjoy rather than the most expensive thing. If you would like to help us this year, we would be grateful for a donation of a small amount.”

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Contact Proserpine Community Centre on Facebook to find out how you can help.  

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