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gifts to elderly individuals who are in need .
Nurses who help coordinate the Elder Angel Tree Program typically stop at Murphy ’ s to drop off about 20 names of people who need items such as nightgowns , slippers , socks and personal care items . Stillwater residents can “ adopt ” an individual from the tree set up at Murphy ’ s .
Those who get involved help seniors who may otherwise be neglected during the holiday season . It ’ s one way to remind them they are not forgotten – they are cherished .
“ I think pretty much always all of them get filled ,” Monroe said . “( Elder Angel Tree Program ) asked ( us ), and we thought it was a good idea . And it seems to work .”
Monroe said they will participate again in the program this year , which usually starts around mid-November .
Veterans ’ Christmas Parties
For six years , Stillwater resident Gary Boyington has been visiting local nursing homes and assisted living spaces to bring cheer to disabled veterans at Christmas and other events throughout the year . Along with other volunteers , he typically brings the food and gifts , often paying for the expenses outof-pocket . Any donations he receives comes from local businesses or nonprofits .
For the first couple of years , Boyington paid for most of the expenses himself , but now others are pitching in . The American Legion Hanner-Sharp Post 129 donated $ 2,500 , Central Rural Electric Cooperative donated $ 500 and Pizza Hut donated the pizza at the parties . This year , Dirty Dough Cookies will provide dessert . Also new this year , the Misspent Ukes and folk singer John Marshall will be presenting music .
Stillwater High School students design posters for the veterans , and Boyington will give out first-fifth place prizes , along with a gift card . The posters go to the nursing home residents , who put them on their walls .
Boyington said Stillwater resident Lois Blankinship has helped him from the beginning .
“ She ’ s the mastermind , she tells me what to do ,” Boyington said .
This year , Boyington will help 40 veterans , but typically the number is 50 veterans . He said event coordinators say the veterans love the visits and can ’ t wait for him to come back .
“ It ’ s just the right thing to do ,” Boyington said . “ These guys led the way for me . Some of those people sit over there in those nursing homes and don ’ t even have any families that come see them . … Some of them – I ’ m not saying they don ’ t have family – I ’ m saying they don ’ t come visit them , they don ’ t come take care of them in the nursing home .
“ And I ’ ll be danged – as long as I ’ m breathing – that I ’ m not going to let them be forgotten .” SwOk
The schedule for the Veterans ’ Christmas Parties is as follows :
Dec . 7 : Stillwater Creek Skilled Nursing and Therapy , 1215 W . 10th St .
Dec . 14 : Brookdale Assisted Living , 1616 E . McElroy Rd .
Dec . 15 : Westhaven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center , 1215 S . Western Rd .
Dec . 21 : Primrose Retirement Community , 823 Range Rd .
Dec . 22 : Renaissance Retirement Community , 1400 E . McElroy Rd .
STORY BY : JESSICA MARSHALL Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
PHOTOS by JESSICA MARSHALL
Stillwater High School students design posters for the veterans , and Boyington will give out first-fifth place prizes , along with a gift card . The posters go to the nursing home residents , who put them on their walls .
Gary Boyington holds up a picture painted by a Stillwater High School student for a disabled veteran .
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