Many elderly people in our community will be spending Christmas alone which makes for a sad and miserable time of year. The community would like to bring the holiday spirit to them by sponsoring the Eighth Annual Community Angel Tree for the Seniors.

“It started in 2015, our son, 32 years old was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and he lost his battle. I was, of course, devastated and I could just feel this darkness, this weight pushing me down. I’ve got to pay his kindness into the community because he did a lot in his own way when he was a young man doing good things for other people. What its evolved into, I started it to help myself and it has turned in to a community event that people feel so good,” stated Program Coordinator, Nancy Labahan. It has not only helped Nancy cope with her grief but has also helped to establish a wonderful program for seniors in both Carbon and Emery County. The first year helped 65 seniors in the area and last year they helped almost 700 seniors between both counties.

There are two locations where individuals can obtain a Senior Angel from the Angel Tree. “We put it up last week in the Carbon County Building on 100 North and there’s one there; there’s one at the Emery County Courthouse. Emery County is their own entity this year, we’re overseeing it but they’re doing the ornaments, they’re doing the shopping in Emery County, and which I’m thrilled about. I want to note all of our recipients are Carbon and Emery County Meals on Wheels recipients,” said Labahan. Individuals/families interested in adopting a Senior Angel can do so at either location Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Ideas that some Seniors may need consist of lap blankets, slippers, puzzle books, gloves and hats and surprisingly quite a few of the elderly want just a gift card to the grocery store to get food. For those purchasing the items for Carbon seniors are asked to return those wrapped gifts to the Hope Center at 210 North Carbon Avenue no later than Thursday, Dec. 15. If you are unable to adopt a Senior Angel but would like to donate your time to help the Elves make deliveries on Dec. 17 please contact Head Elf, Terry Willis at (435) 650-1209.

For any questions or if you are unable to participate in the program but would like to make a monetary donation towards the cause please contact Nancy Labahan at (435) 637-6195.