Age knows no limit to helping community

Published 12:38 pm Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Residents of Orange Villa Nursing and Rehabilitation were overheard talking about how once they did things to help the community and wished they still could.

Overhearing the conversations, Linda Smith, a nurse at the facility, presented an idea to Administrator Joel Watts.

“They talked about how much they helped when they were younger,” Smith said. “I just wanted to help them keep the dream alive.”

Smith suggested a canned food and toy drive to help bring residents and family together while helping residents feel more involved with the community.

“We are open to staff and community projects,” Watts said about the drive. “We are blessed to have Linda to make it happen.”

The event was such a success with several boxes of toys and food collected; the facility is considering turning the drive into an annual event.

“We hope to double the collections next year,” Watts said.

Vera Eads, 100, said she enjoyed helping collect the items for Salvation Army.

Orange Villa Nursing and Rehabilitation is located at 510 North 3rd Street in Orange.