AKRON, Ohio — Some folks at an Ohio senior living community are helping spread holiday cheer to children in need.
“We’re the elves,” she said with a laugh. “The old, old, old elves.”
It’s been a little while since the 95-year-old prepared presents like this.
“I used to make my own stockings for my kids,” she said. “Of course, years and years ago. Which they still use. But, no, I don’t anymore.”
The mother of five, grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of seven is helping make the holidays special for some kids who might not be expecting a lot of gifts this Christmas.
“It makes you feel really good to know that you’re doing something that’s going to benefit somebody who doesn’t have much,” she said.
She and the other volunteers boarded a small bus to deliver the gifts in person.
“It’s always fun to go where there are children,” she said. “Especially at Christmastime.”
Austin Marsh, resident services director for Vitalia, said connecting these two generations through activities benefits both young and old.
“It’s how culture’s passed on,” he said. “It’s how, quite literally, everything we know we learned from somebody that’s older than us.”
The surprise stocking delivery was a part of Visalia’s 45 Days of Holiday Cheer. The event started on Thanksgiving and features a different activity daily to keep residents engaged.
