Baskets to brighten kids’ Easter

By Amanda C. Davis

Making the baskets benefits the senior citizens who make them and the children who receive them.

NILES — The residents of Shepherd of the Valley retirement community know the secret to making a great Easter basket.

“Lots of toys and candy,” said Theresa Martin, formerly of Liberty, who spent Wednesday morning putting together baskets for children in a residential facility run by Trumbull County Children Services.

Residents in the center’s nursing wing — many of whom have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — used their experience to fill 45 colorful baskets with cellophane grass, candy, books, stuffed toys, stickers, coloring books and crayons.

Kim Taylor, Shepherd of the Valley’s activity director, said the program has been going on for about 15 years, and families of the residents, along with members of the staff, donate all the materials needed to make the baskets.

“We try to find things to get the residents connected to their community,” she added.

Jan Sulonen, TCCS recreation coordinator, said 27 children ranging in age from 7 to 17 will get the baskets Easter morning and will open them at the Reeves Road facility or at home if they leave for a visit.

“The kids start asking for the baskets a couple weeks ahead of time,” Sulonen said. “They get excited and anticipate this.”

The remainder of the baskets will go to children in the foster care program.

Sulonen said the Easter baskets help “keep old traditions alive,” and noted the children aren’t the only ones who benefit from the project.

“[The seniors] do a real nice job and have a nice time doing it,” he added.

Shepherd of the Valley’s Niles location has residents in nursing care, assisted living and independent living. Women from the independent wing were to wrap the baskets before they’re handed over to TCCS.

Shepherd’s activity assistant Renee Showalter helped pass out items for the baskets and joked with residents: “Don’t be skimpy with the grass, we have plenty.”

Resident Terry Schlabaugh had fun working alongside Martin and sneaked a piece of candy for himself when no one was looking.

Margaret Hallock, formerly of Niles, is diabetic and can’t have candy, but opted instead to smuggle a stuffed animal in her wheelchair.

“I fell in love with it,” she said with a wink. “They said I could have it.”

Martin, who will spend Easter with her granddaughter in Berlin Center in Mahoning County, said she enjoys keeping busy with activities at Shepherd of the Valley and explained residents would be dying Easter eggs this week also.

Darnell Jones, president of Shepherd’s resident council, said the children show their appreciation each year by sending a thank-you letter that is posted for all residents to see.

“It’s nice knowing [the baskets] are going to children who wouldn’t be getting anything,” she added.

Lynn Miller, Shepherd’s corporate marketing director, said the program also provides children another aspect of Easter.

“It helps bring the bunny to the kids,” she explained.