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Elves for the Elderly: Why Small Acts of Kindness Matter for Seniors During the Holidays

There are only 12 days left until gift deliveries begin for Elves for the Elderly. We are excited to spread the joy to our seniors, displaced veterans, and people with disabilities. Our excitement, gratitude, and spirit for this beloved tradition continue to grow stronger than ever. As our volunteers begin to prepare for the sorting and packing that starts at the end of next week, we are reminded why the effort for Elves for the Elderly is so essential. As we continue to accept donations and count down to the days of gift delivery, we reflect on how powerful small acts of kindness can be for seniors.

The Loneliness Many Seniors Face This Time of Year

Some older adults experience increased feelings of isolation during the holidays. All around the world, people prepare for gatherings, traditions, and celebrations during this time of year. However, some seniors could experience:

  • Quiet homes
  • Few visitors
  • Fixed incomes, making basic comforts feel unattainable
  • Grief from the loss of spouses, family members, or friends
  • Days that feel long, quiet, or disconnected

The isolation that seniors can experience during the holidays can create a sense of loneliness and a negative impact on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Feelings of being overlooked or forgotten can arise in seniors during this season that typically celebrates togetherness. This is the reason that each small act of kindness is so meaningful. As simple as a warm conversation, a thoughtful gesture, or a delivered gift bag from the effort of many in the community for Elves for the Elderly can brighten a senior’s day.

How a Simple Gift Bag Creates Connection

A gift bag is more than a simple offering, and for many seniors, it represents much more. When a volunteer comes through the door of a senior’s home, they are not just carrying a bag of items, but also warmth and kindness. This helps to create a moment of connection. While each gift bag contains practical items and comforting treats, what truly touches the heart of our seniors is the message that it represents: “You are remembered. You matter. You are not forgotten this season.“

These visits are the heart of Elves for the Elderly. The day that a gift bag arrives from a volunteer with Elves for the Elderly could be the only visit a senior receives this time of year. It also serves as a reminder that their community genuinely cares about their well-being. Whether they receive a blanket for warmth, a puzzle for joy, or a smile from a volunteer for comfort, every element of the gift bag is delivered with intention and love.

Our Community Partners So Far: The Heart of the Mission

The success of Elves for the Elderly is possible because of the kindness and generosity of our community partners. This year, we are honored to have support and donation bins at:

  1. Oasis In-Home Care: 286 Clear Sky Ct, STE A, Clarksville, TN 37043
  2. Amedisys Home Health: 2690 Madison St, STE 200, Clarksville, TN 37043
  3. Dogwood Bend Assisted Living by Americare: 160 Hillcrest Dr, Clarksville, TN 37043
  4. Restoring Health Clinic: 311 Landrum Pl, STE 500C, Clarksville, TN 37043

5. SunCrest Home Health: 647 Dunlop Ln, STE 305, Clarksville, TN 37040

6. SunCrest Hospice: 647 Dunlop Ln, STE 117, Clarksville, TN 37040

  1. Tennessee Men’s Clinic of Clarksville: 298 Clear Sky Ct, STE C, Clarksville, TN 37043
  2. Unity Psychiatric Care: 930 Professional Park Dr, Clarksville, TN 37040

We are also excited to have the Youth Engagement Service to help us with gift deliveries this year. We have already begun receiving donations from many individuals, for which we are very grateful. We look forward to having all the volunteers help during the sorting, packaging, and delivery of the gift items. All this involvement embodies the spirit of this initiative: neighbors helping neighbors and a community uniting to ensure that our seniors are not forgotten during the holidays.

12 Days Left

Again, we are 12 days away from gift delivery, but there is still time to make a difference. Here is how you can still get involved:

  1. Donate items
  2. Volunteer to sort, pack, or deliver 
  3. Host a donation bin at your organization
  4. Refer a senior, displaced veteran, or person with disability
  5. Spread the word – Even a simple share on social media could inspire others to donate, volunteer, or refer a senior.

Elves for the Elderly invites you to sign up here: https://zfrmz.com/dMk0J7leQbiIXRwitoFx.

Every Act Counts

As we count down through these final 12 days, we are reminded that Elves for the Elderly is more than a seasonal event. It is a promise to our seniors, displaced veterans, and people with disabilities that they are seen, valued, and cared for. Every donated item, every volunteered hour, and every compassionate delivery brings warmth to someone’s holiday season.

With your continued support, this year is on track to be the most heartwarming yet. Thank you for being part of the mission.

  • FAQ: What’s in a gift bag?
  • Answer: Many are filled with donations such as toiletries, hats, gloves, socks, coats, pajamas, blankets, throws, laundry detergent, dish soap, non-perishable foods, water bottles, mugs, books, puzzles, word games, crossword puzzles, chess sets, checkers, playing cards, and more. These bags continue to grow to meet the essential needs of seniors.
  • FAQ: Who qualifies for these gift bags?
  • Answer: The simple answer is—everyone! There is no income check required, no qualification process, and no disqualifiers. Many individuals are referred to the program through various pathways, including home health agencies, hospice organizations, caregivers, friends of seniors, and more. Some request bags for their own clients, who they know can use this holiday cheer. At its core, Elves for the Elderly fosters inclusivity: any senior/veteran/disabled client who needs additional support, encouragement, or companionship is welcome to receive a gift.
  • FAQ: How can I refer someone in need?
  • Answer: Please contact Hailey Mullins, Oasis In-Home Care Growth and Innovation Project Manager, at 931-802-3941 or the Oasis In-Home Care office line at 931-266-4441.
  • FAQ: What are the geographic boundaries for gift deliveries?
  • Answer: We service Clarksville, TN; Hopkinsville, KY; Nashville, TN; and the surrounding areas of Middle Tennessee, including the areas in-between. Our hope is to grow to meet the needs of more individuals!
  • FAQ: When is the last day to donate?
  • Answer: Donation pick-ups from the community donation sites will start on Dec 18. Donations are accepted until Dec 22.
  • FAQ: When are volunteer times?
  • Answer: There are several days that volunteering can take place; please consider joining us on a day that fits your schedule. Volunteer days include Dec 19-Dec 23. Sorting and packing days will be Dec 19-22. Deliveries will run between Dec 22-23. Please refer to the sign-up form for more details. Specific times of day and location to volunteer will be communicated and available on Oasis In-Home Care social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) closer to start of event. Any changes to schedule will also be communicated promptly.
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A Thanksgiving Message

Happy Thanksgiving! Today is a day of gratitude and thankfulness where we pause to reflect on the meaningful relationships and moments in our lives. At Oasis In-Home Care, this season of thanks holds special meaning for us. We are reminded of the importance of compassion, respect, gratefulness, appreciation, connection, and the profound privilege it is to care for older adults and support their families in our community. Every day, our caregivers are welcomed into the homes of our clients’—places where many memories and traditions have been celebrated. Thanks to our caregivers, our clients can continue having new stories unfold in the comfort of their own homes. The opportunity to provide comfort, dignity, and compassion to our clients is one that we never take for granted. This Thanksgiving, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to every person who has been a part of our mission.

Giving Thanks to Our Clients

To the older adults and individuals we care for: you are the heart of what we do. Your stories, your wisdom, and your resilience inspire us.

We are grateful for your trust in allowing us to support you in maintaining your independence, safety, and well-being. It is an honor to walk alongside you, regardless of whether it’s assisting with a daily task, offering companionship, or sharing a conversation over a warm beverage. Today, we celebrate you!

Honoring Families and Loved Ones

We extend our gratitude to the families that we serve. Your commitment to your loved ones is remarkable. We are grateful to be in your support system. Caring for an aging parent, spouse, or family member can have both its joys and challenges. Your dedication, advocacy, and love make a world of difference.

Thank you for trusting the office staff and caregivers to be part of the journey. Whether you rely on us for a few hours each week or for round-the-clock care, we are honored to help you focus on what truly matters—spending meaningful time with those you love.

Celebrating Our Compassionate Caregivers

Caregivers, we are incredibly thankful for your compassion, patience, and dedication. You are the foundation of the care we provide, and you bring the Oasis mission to life.

Our caregivers go above and beyond to prepare meals, offer warm companionship and connection, assist with mobility and daily tasks, and bring comfort to clients who may feel isolated. They show up with professional skill and with a huge heart. The holidays can be a particularly vulnerable time for older adults who may feel the absence of loved ones more deeply. Our caregivers help these older adults feel warmth and a sense of belonging.

We are proud of you, caregivers! You embody the spirit of Thanksgiving each day you enter a client’s house.

Appreciating Our Community

We are so grateful for the strong community we have around us. Our community shows up for older adults in meaningful ways. One example close to our heart is Elves for the Elderly. This local charity has been active in Clarksville, Hopkinsville, and the surrounding areas of Middle Tennessee since 2012. Every year, this charity brings holiday cheer to older adults, displaced veterans, and individuals with disabilities who have few to no visitors during the holidays by providing gift bags filled with essential and comforting items.

This year, Oasis In-Home Care is honored to support Elves for the Elderly again. From December 19-23, we will be giving back to the community by volunteering to sort, package, and deliver gifts to older adults in need.

Elves for the Elderly is still in need of donation bin sites throughout the area, as well as more donated items to meet the increasing demands in the community. We encourage local businesses and organizations to consider hosting a donation bin that we can provide for them. We also encourage anyone in the community to drop off items at our office or other donation sites. Please check our Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn pages for an updated list of official Elves for the Elderly donation sites, as the list continues to grow!

Your generosity will brighten the holiday spirit of many! Please sign up here if you would like to get involved: https://zurl.co/rArgA!

A Thanksgiving Wish

Today, we encourage everyone to reach out to the people in your lives who matter the most to you! A simple phone call, shared meal, or heartfelt message can brighten their holiday more than we often realize. Many older adults cherish these small gestures, as they serve as reminders of connection, love, and a sense of community.

From all of us at Oasis In-Home Care, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving full of peace and warmth. May your day be with those you love and may the spirit of gratitude stay with you after the table is cleared of delicious food.

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Origins of the Elves for the Elderly Drive

In 2012, Michelle Mullins, the CEO of Oasis In-Home Care, established the Elves for the Elderly as a non-profit service for Clarksville, TN and the surrounding areas. Michelle has a long history of serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, and veterans in various capacities, including as an in-home caregiver, a registered nurse, and a family member. She has witnessed firsthand the needs, which are sometimes hidden, of these individuals in the community. It caught her attention that many older adults spent the holiday season alone, as many did not have family or friends living nearby, nor a reliable means of finances or transportation to obtain necessities. Many seniors can feel isolated during the holidays, lack companionship, and miss the small joy that makes this time of year so special.

Path to a Heartwarming Holiday Tradition

Determined to make a difference, Michelle, along with Cindy Hancock (former Oasis In-Home Care Community Liaison) launched the Elves for the Elderly drive to provide comfort, connection, and essential items to older adults, individuals with disabilities, and veterans who could benefit from extra support. This event originated as a small initiative within Oasis In-Home Care and has evolved into an annual tradition, now embraced by Oasis staff, community partners, and residents. Since then, each November and December, volunteers and community organizations come together to make this event happen by donating, packaging, and delivering holiday gift bags filled with practical items and thoughtful treats.

  • FAQ: What’s in a gift bag?
  • Answer: Many are filled with donations such as toiletries, hats, gloves, socks, coats, pajamas, blankets, throws, laundry detergent, dish soap, non-perishable foods, water bottles, mugs, books, puzzles, word games, crossword puzzles, chess sets, checkers, playing cards, and more. These bags continue to grow to meet the essential needs of seniors.
Expanding the Joy

Over the years, this drive has expanded significantly, with donations growing to the hundreds. Elves for the Elderly now averages 150-200 bagged gifts delivered to seniors each holiday season. This number continues to increase thanks to the generous community involvement. While the number of seniors served has grown, the vision is to continue to grow this number to reach more individuals who can benefit from this act of kindness. Many in the community still have unmet needs during the holidays, and Oasis hopes to continue to expand this incredible act of service.

  • FAQ: Who qualifies for these gift bags?
  • Answer: The simple answer is—everyone! There is no income check required, no qualification process, and no disqualifiers. Many individuals are referred to the program through various pathways, including home health agencies, hospice organizations, caregivers, friends of seniors, and more. Some request bags for their own clients, who they know can use this holiday cheer. At its core, Elves for the Elderly fosters inclusivity: any senior/veteran/disabled client who needs additional support, encouragement, or companionship is welcome to receive a gift.
Timeline of Events

This year, the Elves for the Elderly drive will be accepting donations now until December 22, 2025. Here is a timeline for this year’s events:

  • December 18: donation pick-up begins
  • December 19-22: volunteers package gifts
  • December 22: last day for donations
  • December 22-23: gifts delivered to seniors
Ways to Get Involved

As the Elves for the Elderly drive grows, so does the need for volunteers and community partners! If you would like to get involved, Oasis In-Home Care invites you to sign up as a community partner or volunteer here: https://zfrmz.com/dMk0J7leQbiIXRwitoFx.

There are several ways to participate:

  • Organizations can host donation bins & be recognized on Oasis social media platforms/webpage
  • Individuals can volunteer to pack gifts
  • Individuals can volunteer to deliver gifts
Referrals? Contact Us!

Elves for the Elderly reflects our dedication to compassion, service, and the belief that no senior should feel unseen or unsupported during the holiday season. If you know someone in our region who may need a gift bag this season, please call our office today at 931-266-4441.

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