If you were to ask most nine-year olds what they've been doing during their Christmas break, a common reply would be things like playing with friends and watching TV. But ask Lauren Coley, and she'd have a different story to tell.
Lauren, along with parents Chris and Carla Coley, delivered stockings filled with small gifts to 67 residents of Bryant Health and Rehab Center Tuesday. The stockings contained items such as soft peppermint, no slip socks, lotion, a doll or angel, and a card inside the stocking telling the Christmas story.
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| Lauren saved her own money to purchase gift basket items. |
The idea was Lauren's. Being raised in a strong Christian household, she said her family often did things for others. She added "God really put this in me." Lauren also wanted to honor her "Ma Jewell" (Jewell Davis), her grandmother who passed away in November.
She raised money for the items by doing odd jobs for neighbors, baking, as well as asking for and receiving donations. Sisters Mallory and Amanda helped in preparing the stockings.
While some of the residents were quiet, others were happy to receive the gifts Lauren said she understood some couldn't react.
Visting a nursing home can be scary for anyone, especially a nine-year old. While Lauren admitted it was scary, she said it also felt good to be making the residents happy. She thinks it's important to share the love of Jesus, especially now.
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| Sisters Amanda and Mallory Coley help Lauren decorate socks that went in the stockings. |
"Christmas is Jesus' birth. He's love. We should share that love." Lauren was so moved by her experience at Bryant, she plans to do more there including getting her Girl Scout Troop to sing Christmas carols and spending time with a resident she'd grown close to.
Lauren hopes fear won't keep others from visiting Bryant. "Don't let it keep you from going. They need your love."
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by BleckleyProgess.com
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