YORKTON – A local effort to bring gift-stuffed stockings to seniors in area nursing homes is underway.
"It's upwards of 600 stockings that we are trying to fill," said Program Organizer Kristen Weber-Karcha in an interview with Yorkton This Week.
Now in its fourth year, the Stockings for Seniors Program gives to nursing homes in Yorkton, Kamsack, Canora, Preeceville, Norquay, Invermay, Saltcoats and Theodore.
"We also try to do the [Yorkton] hospital as well — if we've got enough extra items — then anybody that's going to be hospitalized over Christmas – we'll take them something as well," said Weber-Karcha.
"These people can't necessarily leave – sometimes they're on lockdown, sometimes they don't have people to come visit them and it's Christmas – if one little present can brighten their holiday then I'm happy to provide this program," said Weber-Karcha.
The stockings and gift bags are set to be delivered to residences of the nursing homes on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of Dec. and the group is still looking for participants.
"We take sponsorships from businesses, organizations, schools and familes – just different ways people want to help out," said Weber-Karcha, adding, "some of the schools have done challenges...like St. Paul's School – on one day they had to bring in lip glosses and then another day they had to bring in socks and another day bring in soft cheese twists and another day chocolate bars and hard candies."
The efforts from students at St. Paul's school helped to fill a substantial amount of the stockings.
"They brought us in over 400 items themselves," said Weber-Karcha, noting the school's participation was just one way the community got involved.
"I like to say it's bringing a little bit of Christmas cheer."
People looking to get involved are asked to contact Yorkton Stockings for Seniors by e-mail.
