Central Oregon Holiday Giving Project: Seniors in assisted living, memory care need gifts, too

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- What started as a personal project in 2019 has expanded to gifts for 1,300 people in more than 25 facilities across Central Oregon. The Central Oregon Holiday Giving Project brings gifts to people in assisted living and memory care facilities.

Everyone at these care centers gets a bag of gifts, including snacks and hygiene products. For some, this is the only gift they'll receive all year.

Cheryl Garr, founder of Seek Joy Inc., said, “We've had residents that have cried when they received our gifts. We have residents that have kept their stockings up year round as a memory. And we've had letters written to us from residents that have said, 'Why did you give me something? You don't even know me!' So, pretty impactful. ”

To fill those 1,300 gift bags, the Giving Project needs your help. They have several days where they need volunteers to make and fill bags. They're also looking for community partners, and some have stepped forward.  Several middle schools are having their students make cards for each bag.

To learn more, visit the Central Oregon Holiday Giving Project on Facebook.