LEXINGTON, S.C. — For the third year in a row, the Gifts for Grands program is looking to serve as many elderly people as it can.
Gifts for Grands founder, Melissa Little says she wanted to help give elderly people in her community some Christmas cheer after learning that many do not get visitors or interactions around the holiday season if they are in care facilities.
"I was thinking I wanted to do something for Christmas. I have always had a heart for the elderly, and I just looked up one [care home] randomly and hit dial and I just asked them, 'Is there anyone there that doesn't get any visitors? Maybe doesn't have any family, that maybe I could adopt for Christmas and get them a present or something?' and she said 'Just one?'. It hit my heart, and I went home and thought about it for a couple of days, and I thought well we'll just get the whole nursing home presents," Little explained.
She turned to the community to see who would be willing to donate to help provide simple gifts and gestures. The program was able to serve 212 individuals last year and is hoping to give even more this year.
Now, the program has local support through donation boxes at local businesses, like McLeod Home Care. Melissa McLeod a co-founder, says she was more than happy to help the Gifts for Grands Cause.
"I just know the community identifies with her [Little] and how she feels and there's a lot of charities for children but the elderly have been through a very long life, and have helped many people over their lives, and they deserve a beautiful, happy, and joyful Christmas," McLeod said.
Through gifts of blankets, candies, puzzle books, and other items, little and the partnering businesses helping out are trying to make sure the most wonderful time of year stays wonderful for those who have seen many holiday seasons before this one.
The program accepts donations of blankets/throws, socks, brushes/ combs, puzzle books, chapstick, lotion, cards, gloves, and soft candy.
Anyone who would like to help out Gifts for Grands can buy gifts here on Amazon or drop off gifts at the locations listed below:
- Poore House Furnishings, 7565 St Andrew's Rd., Irmo
- Cut n Up Hair Studio, 1070-f South Lake Dr., Lexington
- Ashley Homestore on the corner of Harbison and St Andrews
- Mcleod Home Care, 949 East Main St, A, Lexington
- Irmo Gymnastics, 110 Hunter Village Rd, Irmo