AUSTINTOWN — Staff at Home Instead Senior Care in Austintown, along with community volunteers, stepped up the past two days to get gifts wrapped for senior citizens for the upcoming holiday.

On Thursday and Friday, volunteers and staff could be seen wrapping special gifts that will be given to more than 940 senior citizens throughout the Mahoning Valley. The two five-hour wrapping days had individuals putting colorful wrapping paper, bows and ribbons on a variety of gifts, including sweaters, slippers, blankets, body lotion and coloring books for adults.

Jodi Pucci, office coordinator for Home Instead Senior Care, said the items will be delivered before Christmas to senior centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and senior programs.

“The items go to many different places. We work with the local courts system and Mobile Meals to ensure that the seniors will receive their gifts,” Pucci said.

Other organizations and the courts have provided locations for the seniors needing items for the holidays. Pucci said each senior has a wish list of items.

She said shopping for seniors is easier than other programs that shop for children.

“A lot of what the seniors ask for is basic needs items. They ask for body care items, slippers and blankets. They do ask for special snacks or candy,” Pucci said.

She said each senior receives three gifts and an extra surprise item.

“We like to surprise them and get them something extra in addition to what they requested. It could be a blanket or clothing item,” she said.

Pucci said while most seniors are 65 and older, they do assist the court system and other agencies with getting gifts for individuals who might be younger.

Pucci said the effort could not be done without the help from the many volunteers who provide donations and wrap the gifts. The volunteers are of all ages.

Pucci said many of the volunteers come back each year and some are from a second generation of a family.

“Some of the volunteers said their mom or dad or another relative have helped wrap gifts in the past and now they want to help,” Pucci said. “Everyone does so much to help and make the holidays happier for the seniors.”

Judy and Kevin Hughes of New Middletown were among the volunteers.

“The seniors in the Mahoning Valley have done so much for us over the years so now we can give back to them. I think it is important to give back to our older residents in this way,” Judy said.

The couple said they found out about the wrapping party from their daughter, Lauren Hughes, who works for the agency.

“She told us about the two days of wrapping and we thought it would be great to help out,” Judy said.

She said there were many essential items being wrapped for the seniors, including first aid kits and flashlights.

“We wrapped many sweaters and blankets and some candy and cookies,” she said.

“I feel that getting gifts for seniors is so important to thank them for what they have done for so many others over the years,” Judy said.

Howland resident Erin Sanders said this was her first year helping with the wrapping of the gifts.

She said she is with Hospice of the Valley, which partnered with Home Instead for the gift wrapping. Sanders said she was told there were 3,000 wrapped gifts.

“It was eye opening. Everywhere you looked there were wrapped gifts and bags filled with items. I have never seen so many gifts,” Sanders said.

She said since it was her first year of volunteering, she did not know what to expect, but found the gift wrapping rewarding.

“Everyone had a lot of fun. The seniors ask for practical and simple items that we pick up all the time at the store,” she said.

Sanders said she wrapped socks, pajamas, toiletry and hygiene items, and word puzzle books.

“The holidays can be hard for many people but if these gifts brighten someone’s day, it is all worth it,” she said.

Sanders said she plans to take part again next year and met many other volunteers at the event who agreed the seniors are an important part of the community and need to be remembered at the holidays.

“I was so amazed at all the hard work by everyone and then to see so many bags filled with presents all over the rooms,” she said.

Hubbard resident Carol St. Hilaire said she and her daughter, Monica Rojas of Youngstown, decided to take part with the gift wrapping.

“I enjoyed being there. My daughter told me about it and I was glad to be able to take part. It was a nice event and I hope to be able to take part next year,” she said.

St. Hilaire said she was amazed at the endless rows of bags filled with gifts. There were 900 bags filled with three items each.

“The seniors ask for simple items. Some asked for cleaning supplies and hygiene items, which are easy to find,” she said.

St. Hilaire said she felt good knowing what she did will help someone else this holiday season.