'Manor Tree' spurs Christmas gift giving to local seniors

Upon entering Points West Bank in Kimball, one will see a display of small silver gift boxes topped with bows. These boxes are a part of the Manor Tree program the bank is hosting.

During the holidays many are looking for ways to help and assist others. Some do this by donating time or money, others donate presents. The Manor Tree program is one that helps get gifts for the senior residents of the Kimball County Manor.

Stacy Lonsdale, employee at Points West Bank and the bank's coordinator for the Manor Tree program, knows that holiday cheer is important.

"This program is a way to help out those that might not have family in the area, this way they can still get a gift," Lonsdale said.

Those wishing to participate in the Manor Tree program can do so by visiting Points West Bank. The display set up at the bank is of small boxes set up with an item written on the bottom of each box. This item is something a senior at the manor has asked to get for Christmas. The person who selects the small box is to purchase the selected item and wrap it. Once wrapped, the gift may be taken to Points West Bank, no later than noon on Dec. 18. Points West will deliver the gifts to the manor, where they will be given to the seniors at the manor Christmas party.

"It's nice because some might not have anyone locally, and this way we are helping insure that these residents of Kimball are getting Christmas gifts," Lonsdale said.

The Manor Tree is another program that residents can participate in to spread that ever contagious holiday cheer.

"I think it's important that these seniors get gifts and feel involved in the festivity of everything because a lot of them are the reason that this community is here and this is a great way to show appreciation and say thank you," Lonsdale said.

The Manor Tree program is anonymous. The boxes have the item asked for and the room number of the resident that requested the item. The point is that people select gifts to purchase for manor residents impartially.

"By keeping it anonymous it keeps it fair. This way no one resident will receive all kinds of gifts while other receive none," Lonsdale said.

Points West usually has an open house this time of year. Instead of hosting an open house this year, the bank will donate the money that would have been spent there to the Kimball Food Pantry. Items that are normally available at the open house, such as calendars, will be available at the bank anytime during business hours for people to pick up.