COALDALE -- Not everyone is fortunate enough to receive a present on Christmas morning, and a lot of times, fundraisers around the holidays are helping kids.
That's why Mary Ann Dulaney of Coaldale is doing what she can to spread some Christmas cheer to the elderly.
"People just think of the children and here you're reaching out to the older people who don't have family, who don't have visitors, who don't get anything for Christmas," Dulaney said.
The fundraiser is called Socks for Seniors.
It started off as a collection of just socks, but the group has grown and now they collect anything from personal care items to even tissues.
Last year, they were able to donate gifts to more than 500 people in nursing homes.
"When all you would really want is a box of tissues, that's nothing, or a pair of socks to keep your feet warm. It's simple, cheap and inexpensive things you can buy and just help people out," Dulaney said.
The Mahoning Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is just one of the places where the gifts will go.
Management says even the smallest gift means the world to people.
More than 130 residents live at the center near Lehighton. Some residents have family to spend the holidays with. Michael Mickey, the president and CEO of the facility says that's not the case for everyone.
"A lot of them don't have family to come visit and when they get gifts from the outside from different groups and organizations it just lights up their whole world," Mickey said.
That's why Tommy's Restaurant in Coaldale is participating in the collection. The family owned business already has items in its box.
"It's nice to send things to the nursing homes for the people, you know a little bit of Christmas. That's why we do it," Ruth Weiss of Tommy's Restaurant said.
If you would like to donate to socks for seniors in Carbon and Schuylkill counties you can visit the following stores:
- Beacon 443, Lehighton
- Pathstone Head Start, Lehighton
- Mauch Chunk 5 & 10, Jim Thorpe
- Classic Beverage, Nesquehoning
- Hiles Brothers, Summit Hill
- Sports Zoo, Lansford
- JT National Bank, Lansford
- First Niagra Bank, Lansford
- Tommy's Restaurant, Coaldale
- Angela Triplex Theater, Coaldale
- Dr. Puddu's Office, Tamaqua
- M&S Hardware, Tamaqua
- AAA, Tamaqua
For more information you can also contact Mary Ann Dulaney at madula@ptd.net
