Besa launching WISH on Nov. 2, aiming to provide holiday gifts to more than 2,000 senior citizens across Central Ohio

Columbus, Ohio—On Monday, Nov. 2, Columbus nonprofit Besa will kick off its annual WISH program, a holiday gift drive that aims to support more than 2,000 senior citizens in need with more than $100,000 in gifts.

This year, WISH should hit a major milestone: $1M in gifts given over 15 years.

The program began in 2012, when Besa rallied a handful of secret shoppers to buy $240 in gifts for 26 senior citizens through the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging’s Holiday Gift Drive. Since then, Besa’s drive has evolved into the nonprofit’s largest annual project. Over 14 years, the program has enlisted thousands of generous secret shoppers who have provided more than $950,000 in gifts to more than 18,800 seniors. While it continues supporting seniors through COAAA, it also supports seniors through nine other organizations across Central Ohio.

The full list of seniors is typically adopted within 48 hours of launching, sometimes within the first day. Many secret shoppers have made participating a tradition, whether they’re individuals, families, friend groups, companies, coworkers or teachers who adopt seniors with their students.

“This program showcases the best of humanity—kindness, generosity, and above all, love,” said Besa CEO Matthew Goldstein. “I’ve had the privilege of being present when seniors open their gifts, and I get emotional every year. For some, it’s the only gift they will receive. One woman said just looking at the bow on her gift made her feel so cared for she had trouble describing it. The way the community shows up for their neighbors through WISH is just incredible.”

Fellow Columbus nonprofit Seeds of Caring, which provides volunteer experiences for kids ages 2 to 12, will once again mobilize 2,500 children to create hand-made cards and crafts so that each senior knows they are remembered and cared for.

“Our partnership with Besa’s WISH program is so meaningful because it gives children the opportunity to brighten the lives of older adults in our community while discovering that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a real difference,” said Seeds of Caring Executive Director Brandy Jemczura.

A new partner is also joining this year: The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) will serve as the WISH gift drop-off location, hosting donors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 4, 5 and 6. As part of the partnership, NVMM will provide two complimentary museum tickets to each individual who adopts a senior.

“The National Veterans Memorial and Museum stands as a symbol of service, honoring those who have served our nation and inspiring others to carry that spirit forward,” said NVMM CEO Dr. Frederic Bertley. “Our partnership with Besa is an opportunity to put service into action, opening our doors to support a community-wide effort to bring joy and connection to seniors across Central Ohio this holiday season.”

Goldstein echoed that sentiment.

“I’m grateful and delighted to welcome these other partners to WISH,” Goldstein said. “Together, Besa, NVMM and Seeds of Caring are demonstrating that service is not limited to one organization or one generation. It’s a shared committed that is strengthened when people come together to care for one another.”

Other WISH partners include the Center for HumanKindness at The Columbus Foundation; The William H. Davis, Dorothy M. Davis and William C. Davis Foundation; Franklin County Office on Aging, The McConnell Foundation, ADAMH Board of Franklin County, Diamond Hill, IGS Energy, Fifth Third, GBQ, Kristy Eckert Communications and Columbus Humane.

Volunteers can adopt seniors beginning Nov. 2 at www.besa.org.

Each secret shopper receives a wish list from a local senior citizen. Shoppers then purchase and wrap gifts and leave the gifts with Besa during a drop-off day. Besa’s partner organizations who care for seniors then deliver the gifts.

Besa is a Columbus-based nonprofit dedicated to powering a wave of civic engagement and supporting those who need it most by connecting people and businesses to community service. Besa makes giving back easy by curating more than 90 volunteer experiences every month that Columbus residents can easily find and register for at www.besa.org. It also helps business partners manage and strengthen their philanthropic efforts through strategic planning, curated volunteer experiences, volunteer management and philanthropy software.

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