Residents in the three Morrow County nursing homes and care centers will have their own lighted, mini-Christmas tree and bag of Christmas goodies this year again, thanks to the Christmas Angels.

The Christmas Angels project began five years ago with trees and gifts for Bennington Glen and has expanded in the last three years to Morrow Manor and Woodside Village Care Center.

In past years volunteers enjoyed taking the trees into residents’ rooms and greeting them with cards and even a few Christmas carols. This year trees and gift bags are delivered to the door at the nursing homes and distributed by their staff due to pandemic restrictions.

Morrow Manor Activity Director Luane Campbell thanked the Christmas Angels for their gifts and support in this stressful pandemic year.

“This is wonderful,” said Campbell who formerly taught music in the Mount Gilead Schools.

“It is a real boost for our residents and staff during this very difficult time and especially great at Christmas.”

Christmas Angels organizer Dixie Shinaberry got the idea for the Christmas Angels project from a friend in Knox County. Knox County groups had a similar project at Christmas, giving trees and gifts for rest home and care center residents.

Shinaberry thanked the many individuals and groups who helped decorate and distribute 120 trees and pack gift bags as well as those who made monetary donations for the project.

Volunteers include: Cookie Armstrong, Carmel Cooper, Shirley Fissell, Phyllis Grimm, Lisa Hull, Diane Kruger, Carol Lessick, Allen Stojkovic, Jen, Kayla, Mallory and Julie Trainer, and Ann Vance.

Group Sponsors include: Mount Gilead First Baptist Church Women, Mount Gilead Trinity United Methodist Church, Vessel Community Church, Ag Credit, Gleaners, Lexington Dental and Mount Gilead Art Class with Robin Conrad.

“It has been a real blessing to have people like this support the Christmas Angels project,” Shinaberry said. “I really appreciate their kindness.”

Morrow Manor Activity Director Luane Campbell unloads Christmas trees for residents with Trinity United Methodist Church volunteer Allen Stojkovic. 120 trees and gift bags were distributed to residents in Bennington Glen, Morrow Manor and Woodside Village.
https://www.morrowcountysentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2020/12/web1_IMG_20201203_112932.jpgMorrow Manor Activity Director Luane Campbell unloads Christmas trees for residents with Trinity United Methodist Church volunteer Allen Stojkovic. 120 trees and gift bags were distributed to residents in Bennington Glen, Morrow Manor and Woodside Village. Sentinel Photo

By Alberta Stojkovic

The Sentinel