Adopt a grandparent for Christmas

Green River residents are being encouraged to buy Christmas gifts for those living at the Mission at Castle Rock Rehabilitation Center.

This year, employees at the center wanted to make every resident's Christmas special.

Cora White, CRRC activities assistant, said every resident at the CRRC was asked what they would like for Christmas.

Their responses were placed on a card that resembled an ornament, which was given a number and a letter, either F or M, code for female or male.

These papers ornaments were placed on a Christmas tree in the craft room.

"That way everyone gets something for Christmas," White said. "We're excited about it."

Many residents have already come in and adopted a grandparent for Christmas.

"It's for those who don't have family get something," she said. "It makes them feel really good to know somebody cares."

White said some people have grabbed several names off of the trees and others took one.

Employees have also taken names off the the tree and have been excited to give gifts to those they know and see every day.

The gift requests range from things like candy and socks to Wyoming gear and Hot Pockets. None of the requests are extreme.

With 57 residents at CRRC, the community was asked to help. As of Friday, 16 were left on the tree.

Transportation aide Heidi Schuh and adopt-a-grandparent organizer, said they just wanted to do something different and fun for the residents. She said the idea actually came from a volunteer.

Restoration aide Susan Crofutt said they thought it was a good idea and a great way to make the residents feel more special.

"We wanted to make it more about what the resident wants," Schuh said.

"We had one ask for presents for his granddaughters in Oregon."

When the residents were asked what they wanted some of them were kind of shy.

"It makes their world much better and that's what we're all about," Schuh said.

Crofutt said they were happy with how many names were already taken off the tree. She said they had only put the information on their Facebook page Thursday.

"It's nice to see the community support us," Schuh said.

"We try to make it as homelike as we can for them," Schuh said. "This is not a nursing home, we work in their home."

Residents who are participating are asked to have the presents wrapped with the paper ornament card attached to them delivered to the CRRC by Friday, Dec. 18.

"To give them those little things means the world to them," Schuh said.