Gift drive benefits nursing home residents

A resident of a local nursing home receives a gift during last year's drive. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

With a goal to deliver gifts to all 310 nursing home residents in Bedford County, organizers are again asking for help this year to make this happen again.

Lindsey Sudberry and her mother Lorrie Dunn are spearheading the fourth annual Linda Hayes Nursing Home Gift Drive that makes sure that the county's elderly are not forgotten during the Christmas season.

The effort began in 2006 after Sudberry and Kecia Johnson came up with the idea to provide Christmas gifts to residents of Bedford County's nursing homes. It went far better than they ever imagined with over 1,900 gifts donated, beyond the 237 that had been requested that first year.

The drive is named in honor of Lindsey's late grandmother, who was the inspiration for the effort. Linda Hayes, who worked at Celebration Way and also did hair for nursing home residents, passed away in 2007.

"I know money's tight this year, but one item for a dollar can go a long way," Sudberry said. However, if you can't donate money, your time is just as valuable, she said.

Help will be coming from the organization Next Step Home, Sudberry said and this year, Living Stones Church will donate its facility for packing and storage and its youth group will also help out with the bagging party.

However, a vehicle has not yet been secured for transporting the gifts. Volunteers will be needed for delivery day.

Sudberry said packaging is a big part of the drive, with a lot of sorting and stuffing involved. With over 300 residents receiving seven or more gifts each, helpers will have their hands full.

Top gift suggestions for the residents are facial tissues, slippers, socks, scarves and hats, as well as blankets and robes.

Other suggested items are room decor (sit-arounds are suggested), stuffed animals, (the types that sing Christmas songs are a favorite) and wall hangings such as clocks.

Youth from Calvalry Baptist Church helped out last year with the annual Linda Hayes Nursing Home Gift Drive, which helps to makes sure that more than 300 nursing home residents in Bedford County have a Merry Christmas. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

Also welcomed are games, stationery, calendars, books, puzzles and cards.

Sudberry asked that people not donate lotion, lip balm or food items and candy, due to the possibility of allergies and dietary concerns. It is also requested that gifts be unwrapped.

Drop boxes locations for the gift drive this year are at:

* Antiques, Arts and Collectibles Mall - 121 South Side Square

* Duck River Electric Membership Corp. - 1411 Madison St.

* Heritage South Community Credit Union - 763 N. Main St.

* New Covenant Christian Bookstore - 800 N. Main St.

* Omni Center - 920 Colloredo Blvd.

* Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System - 308 S. Main St.

* Shelbyville Times-Gazette - 323 E. Depot St.

* Titan Transfer - 1200 Stanley Blvd.

* The Express - 408 Madison St.

* Vera's Pearl's - Railroad Square, Bell Buckle (box in booth 21)

Any cash donations will go directly for gifts, while all packaging, labor and time toward the project being donated.

"No matter how big or small the donation, every single act or cent counts," Sudberry said.

Cutoff date for the donations is set for Tuesday, Dec. 15. For more information, or how you can help, call Lindsey at 619-1906 or Lorrie at 607-6478.