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Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Volunteers needed to fill stockings for seniors in NOTL care homes
This holiday season, fill a stocking for those in NOTL long-term care homes. Supplied

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct number of residents at Pleasant Manor. The Virgil care home has 41 residents.

For the third year in a row, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Joan King is hoping to bring some holiday joy to seniors in long-term care facilities.

In response to the COVID pandemic, King first began distributing Christmas stockings to help lighten up a lonely environment.

At the time, care facilities had restricted visits due to the spread of COVID, so the stockings were a really welcome gift.

Now, it’s becoming a tradition.

Last year, 220 volunteers were needed to fulfil the need for stockings and this year is no different.

Stockings will be donated to Pleasant Manor in Virgil (which has 41 residents), Upper Canada Lodge (80 residents) and Niagara Long Term Care Residence (101 residents). 

Volunteers are needed soon, with a target date of Dec. 16, to have stockings in and sorted at the homes.

Those interested in filling a stocking can contact King to receive a list of approved items needed by the seniors. 

“They’re all items you could get at the dollar store. It’s really simple,” King said in an interview.

“They don’t have to buy everything on the list, just enough to fill a stocking and fill it with what they want.”

King was blown away by the town’s generosity and kindness in prior years and looks forward to another holiday season of community and giving.

“It’s such a wonderful community. They’re just so giving and generous,” said King.

Last year, St. Davids Lions Club member did it together as an evening.

“They picked up the items and the stockings and they filled them all together. Crossroads school kindergarten class also brought in items and filled up stockings as well.”

If you are interested in spreading some community spirit this holiday season by filling up a stocking, contact King at joankemp10@yahoo.ca, 905-262-5898, or send a message on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/joan.king.7587

 

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