Emerald Lake elves bring gifts

The Emerald Lake elves are at it again.

For the third consecutive year, a group of friends in the Union County subdivision of Emerald Lake have organized a gift drive that resulted in Christmas presents for all 144 residents of Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation of Monroe.

“Some of the residents have no family, so this annual good will gesture might be the only Christmas they will have,” said Carlene Cook.

Chief Elf Organizer Linda Morrison and her crew put fliers in neighborhood mailboxes the first of November announcing the project. Emerald Lake residents generously gave $1,600 for gifts.

Morrison then hit the Internet in search of the best deals. She also frequented local dollar stores. “I love the dollar stores and they love me,” Morrison said.

The elves ended up with 144 backpacks, 144 pairs of nonslip socks, 288 puzzle books and pens and plenty of hard candy. They then wrapped each present and put each set in a gift bag.

On Dec. 15, the elves and a supporting cast of husbands, friends and grandchildren loaded seven cars full of bags and delivered them to the facility. Kindred Transitional Care activities assistant Joyce Hoskins said the presents were a blessing.

“The residents were so excited. There were so many things inside the bags, and they especially liked the tins of hard mixed candy. It reminded them of their childhood,” said Hoskins.

“These presents really made a difference. One of our residents said, ‘You would think that in a rehab facility like this, we would have been forgotten. But there are people out there that know we exist.’ This made their Christmas.”