Adopt a Senior: Livingston Parish - How is Started

In Livingston Parish, the holiday season shines a little brighter for hundreds of seniors thanks to the Adopt a Senior Program. Completing its third year, this initiative has become a community effort, bringing joy, connection, and support to seniors in our community during Christmas. What started as a simple conversation has blossomed into a tradition that showcases the generosity and spirit of those in our parish.

The program began from a discussion between the Chamber’s CEO, April Wehrs, and the then Director of the Livingston Council on Aging (COA), Kay Granger. For years, the COA had requested small stocking stuffer items to brighten the holiday for seniors and chamber members had responded. But the Chamber saw an opportunity for something bigger. The Chamber often received request by their members to engage and act on local programs like this. Inspired by the “adopt a child” Christmas wish list programs, the Chamber proposed that instead they partner to create an adopt a senior program.

The COA Director agreed, and from that spark of collaboration, a new program was launched. The concept allowed for the business community and community members to “adopt” a senior, fulfilling their personalized holiday wish lists with gifts, essentials, and a touch of holiday cheer. The response was positive and immediate. In its inaugural year, the program took off, and every senior was adopted.

Now, three years later, the Adopt a Senior Program has become a cornerstone of the parish’s holiday season. Hundreds of seniors have been adopted to date, each one receiving not just gifts, but a reminder that they are valued and remembered. From blankets and warm clothing to personal care items and heartfelt notes, the donations pour in, reflecting the creativity and kindness of the Livingston Parish community.

The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Council on Aging, continues to support the effort, ensuring the foundation of the program continues. States April Wehrs, "The program’s success is a not a surprise given what we have experienced from our local business community and their representatives. They truly care about the community and its residents. It’s more than just a gift exchange—it’s a way to honor the seniors who have built our communities through the years. Although the donors are from every area of the community, the business community, starting with chamber members, solidified the launch and continue to support of the program. We see the posts and photos of those who are giving. They are just as excited, if not more so, as those who are on the receiving end."

As the third year is completed, the Adopt a Senior Program stands as an example of a way to seek out new ways to serve those who may be overlooked during this special time of year.