Moose members spread cheer

To the editor:

On Dec. 19, the Women of the Moose Chapter 138, plus a few elves and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus visited residents of The Waters Nursing facility.

This was an effort the W.O.T.M. took upon starting in August. Residents of our local nursing homes have very limited funds and transportation to purchase everyday necessities.

We asked that anyone who had extra unopened items on hand or would be able to purchase items to bring them to our monthly meetings. Thanks to all of the wonderful donations we were able to supply 57 residents with bags of articles.

There were bars of soaps, shampoo, hair conditioner, body soap, body powder, Kleenex, chap sticks, hand sanitizers, socks, washcloths, candy, small puzzles, and many other needed things.

Santa and his helpers left the Moose Lodge No. 1592 after the children's Christmas party. Although we all know Santa was getting thirsty he was willing to visit and hand out our Christmas bags to residents.

The residents and the staff of The Waters were very happy to see ole Santa.

The residents' eyes lit up as if they were children once again and it was Christmas morning.

As we came down the hall, some came running out of their rooms while others were helped out in wheel chairs and walkers. Many of the residents hugged Santa And Mrs. Claus.

Residents told them stories of long ago Christmases, and one even said she didn't have a husband anymore and asked Santa if he would bring her one for Christmas.

We all were so taken aback at how this made the residents so happy, and it made us feel that we gained a lot more satisfaction out of it than we expected.

The W.O.T.M. would like to thank all who gave items and participated in any way. I don't know about you, but we need to think of the other age of the spectrum too when we think of gift giving at Christmas.

This was the first year we did this community project. But I, and any other of the Moose No. 1592 and W.O.T.M. No. 138 would like to do this again next year.

We can start in January collecting items and can expand to all four of our nursing homes in Greencastle and one in Cloverdale, and we could include the Away-Hom shelter.

Wouldn't it be great to give of yourselves in this way to make others happy that are usually forgotten?

Thanks to all.

Susie McMains

Past Sr. Regent

W.O.T.M. No. 138