For many, the word "gift" means an object, something purchased, something made, something tied with a bow.

Yet for homebound seniors in Butler County, the gift of time was one with a deeper meaning.

On Friday, volunteers from Butler County senior centers and the AmeriCorps of Butler County gave their time to visit homebound seniors and seniors in assisted living facilities as a part of the Gift of Love program.

In Forestville, Dorothy Herr, who celebrated her 90th birthday on Saturday, received a visit from Marion Mackey, 81, and Fran Rostas, 76, both members of the Slippery Rock Senior Center.

Herr, a charter member of the 19-year-old Slippery Rock center, has been unable to attend center activities for the past three months due to ailing health.

"These two women are wonderful women at the center," said Herr of her visitors. "(The center) is a great place to be."

After greeting her visitors and admiring the poinsettia they had delivered, the women sat down and talked about the history of the senior center.

As they talked, Herr suggested new members for the center's council and new activities. "Even though she's home, she's still thinking about the center," joked Rostas, a former manager.

"She's got us all planned," added Mackey.

The group's conversation also turned to the meals at the senior center, which Herr now receives by home delivery.

"Where can you get a meal like that for a dollar and a half," said Herr, commenting on the previous day's meal.

Having visited the center earlier in the week for the December birthday party, Herr said that she had missed attending the center. "They're like family," she said.

Maureen Huff, assistant director for Lutheran Affiliated Services, the organization that sponsors the county's senior centers, said the 16-year-old Gift of Love program now reaches more than 100 seniors.

"We realized that there were seniors out in Butler County that had few or no friends or family to share in the joy of the holiday season," she said. "It's a time of joy for most of us, but for those that don't have anybody, it can be a time of great isolation."

To relieve some of that isolation, members of the 11 Butler County senior centers planned annual visits with the homebound, reaching about 25 residents in its first year.

Today, about 150 volunteers participate in the visits, some going alone, and others in pairs.

While the majority of volunteers are senior center members, about 30 are volunteers from AmeriCorps, which uses the visits as a part of it's monthly training.

Though the AmeriCorps group has only been involved in the program for a few years, Huff said past volunteers had been anxious to participate in the visits again.

Margo Perotti, a trainer and facilitator who works with the AmeriCorps members, said participating in the Gift of Love is a learning experience for the members, particularly those who work with senior-related agencies and programs.

"They find it one of the most rewarding experiences of their Corps service," said Huff.

Each Gift of Love recipient receives a visitor for about one to two hours. Anything longer than that may be taxing on the resident, said Huff.

While the focus of the program is the gift of time, each recipient is also given a host or hostess gift of a poinsettia plant and a plate of cookies.

The cookies are baked by senior center volunteers, and the poinsettias are purchased by the Lutheran Service Society and with donations from local politicians and Schnur's Greenhouse.

According to Huff, the senior center members are an integral part of the planning process, suggesting names of seniors who may enjoy a visit.

"Our seniors here in Butler County are committed to giving back to the community," she said.

Huff also receives calls from people in the community, requesting visits for friends and neighbors who might be in need of some holiday cheer.

Few volunteers have trouble making conversation with those they visit, said Huff, remembering stories of past visits.

"For the most part, these people are so alone and isolated that conversation is no problem," she said.

Maurice Dorsey, 63, of Butler, a first-year AmeriCorps member, said he enjoyed the opportunity to speak with seniors who seemed lonely.

"I'm grateful to the program for accepting me and giving me the opportunity to spread some goodwill," he said.

Huff recalled times when a resident's Santa Claus collection sparked a lively conversation, and one where a volunteer's memories of Christmases past helped a recipient share her memories.

Recalling how the program has grown, Huff cited the biggest challenge is deciding where to stop.

Yet with an abundance of volunteers and willing hosts, the program is sure to continue to grow.

What does a volunteer need to give the gift of love? "A generous heart," said Huff. "That's the only requirement."