Christmas may be months away, but Buckner Villas, a faith-based senior living community, is already getting into the giving spirit. Seniors at the community will be making homemade stockings and collecting items to donate to troops overseas. The residents are donating handy necessities such as hand sanitizer, Chapstick, Ziploc bags and mouthwash because they are lightweight and easy to pack. The community is asking the public to donate Christmas cotton print fabric to help residents reach their goal of 300 stockings. The public is welcome to drop off fabric at the community (located at 11110 Tom Adams Drive) from Monday, July 8 until Friday, August 9.
“With my husband coming from a military family, I know the importance of our troops having a connection to home during the holidays,” said Carol Woodward, resident of Buckner Villas. “Sewing was my first love and something I still enjoy doing. I am excited to make as many stockings as I can to help us reach our goal. I know there are people who have big fabric collections, so if they are able to donate any to the community it won’t go unused. We want our troops to know they are always on our minds, and we are glad they are taking care of us. We do a lot of activities at Buckner Villas to support our troops, and I am grateful for the opportunity to give back.”
Carol is a former home economics teacher who worked at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for 29 years. She has a passion for sewing and is honored to be a part of the team making homemade stockings for soldiers. Carol says she wants the troops to know that people are thinking about them and that what they’re doing isn’t going unnoticed. The community is working with Operation Support Our Troops – America, a nonprofit that provides a link between citizens and military personnel to deliver the packages. This is the second year the community has donated to the nonprofit.
“Sending the stockings and much-needed items is the least we can do for those who are serving our country,” said Carol. “I never thought of Ziploc bags, mouthwash or Chapstick as being necessities for soldiers. It was enlightening to hear what they needed. They are little things we can pick up each time we go to the grocery store, and we are proud to provide the items for them. I participated last year when we collected items and wrote letters to the troops, as well as when we made stockings. It was inspiring to do, and I know I will have the same feeling when we do our project again this year.”
“We have set a big goal of 300 stockings to make for our troops, and I know with the help of the public and residents we will accomplish that goal,” said Janet Burnett, life enrichment coordinator. “We worked with Operation Support Our Troops – America last year, and it was such a success we wanted to do it again. We have many veterans living at the senior living community, and we know this activity will not only brighten the days of service members overseas but also the ones who call Buckner Villas home. We are proud to support our military and look forward to doing more activities in the future.”