Christian Caring Center in Browns Mills recently donated 128 empty stockings for the Stockings for Seniors collection.
The Sonshine & Smiles collection for Stockings for Seniors began Labor Day.
Vicky Olson, founder of Sonshine & Smiles, began the drive in November 2020.
“In the height of COVID when most other places had stopped collecting, we started our organization with that first Christmas stocking drop,” she said. “We collected 120 stockings and delivered to, what was then Promedica in Dumont Circle in Voorhees.
“Last year we delivered to 16 local facilities, 2,315 stockings and gift bags plus additional items and candy.
“This will be our sixth Christmas.”
Collection boxes will be set up at a number of local businesses through Nov. 2.
Porch drop boxes include:
- 44 Pine Cove, Mount Laurel
- 86 Tenby Chase Drive, Voorhees
- Zaddys Restaurant in Mount Holly
- Burlington County Schools Transition Campus, Westampton
- Central HIIT Gym, Marlton
- IWT Welding, Lindenwold
- Just Children Child Care, Mount Laurel
- Primo Water Ice, Westmont and Cherry Hill
- Lowe Dance Studio, Voorhees
- Nesevich Law LLC, Moorestown
- Laurel Brook Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Mount Laurel
- Mount Holly Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Mount Holly
- Tricia Meadows, Mount Laurel
“We will deliver as many stockings as we can depending on the amount of donations and complete stockings we receive,” Olson said. “Last year we delivered to facilities in Medford, Sewell, Mount Holly, Mount Laurel, West Deptford, Pennsauken, Moorestown, Berlin, Voorhees, Atco, Browns Mills, Glassboro and Washington Township.”
The organization accepts donated items that they will pack stockings along with completed stockings that local friends pack. There are details on how to pack a stocking and due to resident restrictions on space, they ask that stockings are packed to specification with no more or less.
“This way we can serve so many more residents,” Olson explained. “The items in the stockings are agreed upon with several activity directors at the facilities that we serve.”
Each red or green stocking/gift bag contains a Christmas card or note to a senior, one small/trial size hand lotion, one small/trial size hand soap or body wash; one lip balm; one mini pack of tissues; one mini activity book/or mini notebook; two pens; one individual glass cleaning cloth; one mini flashlight (prefer with battery) or one small compact mirror; one individual tea biscuit or snack cracker pack; two individual packs of hot chocolate (in sandwich ziplock bag) and one small Christmas ornament.
Olson started Stockings for Seniors during COVID when she realized how lonely “our senior residents were.”
“I just wanted to bring a little sunshine and some smiles to them where they were,” she said. “Seeing the smiles and happiness upon receipt of the stockings, inspired me to consider ‘What’s next?’ and so evolved Sonshine & Smiles and our mission to continue for other holidays, just bringing some joy to residents. Many of whom have no family, no visitors and just need to know that someone loves and thinks about them.
“Over the six years we have been doing this we have brought over 15,000 smiles to residents in our local area. The photos on our Facebook page speak for themselves.”
Many area schools jump on board by making homemade cards and collecting items.
“The residents love the cards that the children make and write,” she said. “I have to admit, I love them, too.
“We typically gift for Valentine’s, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas.
“All year long we collect birthday-type items and deliver birthday goody bags, which are then distributed to the residents on their special day.
“So far this year we have donated over 420 birthday bags and over 3,480 gifts.”
Sonshine & Smiles provides assistance to any nursing home that requests help putting together an event or special day for their residents – providing bingo prizes, party decorations, partyware, blankets, toilet paper and much more.
They also aided a prom at the Mount Holly Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Mount Holly in 2024.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/SonshineandSmiles
