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| On Tuesday, members of Christ Episcopal Church and the Scrap Happy Quilters of Osceola United Methodist Church brought warm holiday wishes to the residents of White Oak Manor. Above, from left, Willa Thiele, Joan Crawford, Vickie Marshall and Pam Cook stand behind White Oak residents Margaret Altman and Betty Usher after giving out blankets in the facility’s social room. |
Two churches brought warmth and
gifts to White Oak Manor Tuesday afternoon. Outside, skies were overcast
with temperatures in the low 40s, but the mood inside was bright and
cheerful.Christ Episcopal Church brought personal-care items and the Scrap Happy Quilters of Osceola United Methodist Church brought warm, colorful fleece blankets.
“It means so much when people in the community visit, especially during Christmas,” said Jennifer Barton, the nursing home’s activity director.
“Many residents don’t have family and may not receive any gifts. So, this is really special to see them happy. That is why we are here.”
Many residents circled around the big Christmas tree in the social room as blankets were passed out.
It was hard to tell who had more fun – the ladies passing the blankets out or the residents picking just the right one.
Betty Usher picked a yellow blanket covered with images of tractors and farm animals.
“I liked tractors when I was younger,” Usher said. “We had cows, horses, hogs and tractors where I lived.”
Usher spread her blanket over her lap as the lady next to her chose a bright red Minnie Mouse blanket.
“They are all so pretty,” said Margaret Altman.
Steve Ghent remained in his room watching television and perked up when the ladies visited him. He chose an Avengers-themed blanket and smiled as Barton tucked him in.
The personal-care items included cuddly teddy bears, lotion, fuzzy gloves, calendars and bird food and feeders.
No one was left out. The blankets were delivered to the residents who did not join the group at the tree.
Barton and the ladies from the churches pushed a large cart covered with nearly 100 blankets down each hallway and visited each room.
The fabric was donated by Springs Creative Products Group in Rock Hill. CEO Derick S. Close and Kathy George donated the fabric, said Vickie Marshall, Scrap Happy quilter.
Marshall picked the fleece up last Monday.
“They filled my car full,” Marshall said. “I could barely see out my back window.”
Scrap Happy met last Thursday and set up an assembly line and cut, stitched and folded nearly 100 blankets in less than three hours.
“We had a lot of helping hands,” Marshall said.
Joan Crawford of Christ Episcopal Church initiated the effort in honor of her friend and neighbor Scott Allison, a former resident at White Oak who passed away two weeks ago.
Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152.
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