The games room at the Amica Somerset house was transformed into a well-oiled workshop Dec. 12. Volunteers wearing Santa hats dotted their way down a factory line as the air rang with the crinkle of cellophane wrap and swish of scissors curling ribbons.
As part of a seasonal tradition, the residents were wrapping up gift baskets for low-income seniors as a part of the Helping Hands initiative.
The baskets contain tea towels, dish cloths, soaps, shampoos, cookies and chocolates, a $25 gift card to Thrifty Foods, socks, hats, gloves and sparkling juice.
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B次元官网网址淵ou need a little bit of practical, and a little bit of fun,B次元官网网址� said event coordinator Lin Thompson as she adjusted her elf hat. B次元官网网址淭he residents are so lucky to live here, and itB次元官网网址檚 an easy way for them to give back to the community.B次元官网网址�
For some of the residents, the baskets have become a tradition of their own.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been doing this for many years now; there are a lot of people who donB次元官网网址檛 have all these goodies at Christmas,B次元官网网址� said Margaret Rippin.
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Residents felt that the kinds of items struck a good balance for those in need.
B次元官网网址淭hese are probably things they woulndB次元官网网址檛 buy for themselves because theyB次元官网网址檙e short on money,B次元官网网址� said Jean Davies.B次元官网网址漇o here we can give them things like candy, but also some useful items as well.B次元官网网址�
Somerset was just one of four Amica houses in Victoria creating the baskets, and between them all over 300 baskets will be distributed to local seniors ahead of Christmas. The contents were paid for in part by residents hosting garage sales, raffles and bake sales throughout the year, as well as from donors across the country. Each basket is valued at $150.
