Cherokee County Senior Services is asking for donations for its annual Adopt-A-Senior program ahead of the holiday season.

“We have noticed an increase this year in seniors reaching out to us requesting financial assistance with everything from utilities to groceries,” said Cherokee County Senior Services Resource Coordinator De Gale. “Since most of these folks live on a tight budget, we reach out to the community each year to ask for assistance in gathering their requested Christmas gifts.”

Requested gift items include new sets of bed sheets, gift cards to local grocery stores, stamps, small boxes of chocolate and non-perishable items such as toiletries, chap stick, tissues and lotions.

Senior Services will accept gifts through Saturday, Dec. 3. Gifts can be dropped off at the Cherokee County Senior Center located at 1001 Univeter Road in Canton. Drop off times are Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. All donated items should be new, unwrapped and placed in a holiday bag.

The program, which has been in effect for more than 20 years, serves on average over 250 seniors, many of whom are also clients of the county’s Meals-On-Wheel’s program.

“It’s always nice to be remembered at Christmas and many of these seniors are living alone without local support,” said Cherokee County Senior Services Director Tim Morris. “Every year I am humbled by the success of this program. The community consistently rises to the occasion to bring Christmas to our seniors.”

For additional information about the Adopt-A-Senior program, contact Cherokee County Senior Services at 770-345-3025.