For the fifth year, residents of the Ewing Wing skilled nursing unit at John C. Fremont Hospital are making “Christmas Blessing Stockings.” The “Christmas Blessing Stockings” project began in September 2005 when the Ewing Wing residents wanted to help make the holidays brighter for children of families that were displaced by hurricane Katrina. The first year they made, filled, and delivered 1,600 stockings.

PICTURED ARE STOCKING STUFFERS ARE BILL COOPER, LUCILLE COCI, HOWARD EWING, AND EDIS JACOBS. “This year we plan to make 1,200 stockings,” said Avis Moulton, activity assistant. She explained, “We make six categories of stockings. For boys and girls ages 3-7, ages 8- 12, and age 13 and over. We supply a larger stuffed animal for children under 3-years-old. We are asking for donations of items to fill our stockings, such as, hair brushes, combs, hand lotions, small toys, crayons, coloring books, pencils, socks, etc., and of course, stuffed animals, large or small.”

The stockings will be donated to the Missionary Baptist Church, homeless project, in Oakhurst, and the Rescue Mission Madera for distribution.

In order to make funds to purchase some of the items the Ewing Wing Residents make and sell gift bags and Christmas stockings for $1 each. The bags and socks are on display in the Ewing Wing.

For more information, or to contribute to this project, call Moulton at 966-3631, extension 265.