Every year, Concordia Lutheran Ministries’ “Adopt-A-Resident” program ensures residents have a gift to open for Christmas, and the community is invited to participate and help brighten residents’ holidays.

First, the skilled nursing and personal care residents provide activities staff with a wish list. Next, employees, community members, churches, business and independent living residents “adopt” a resident (or, in some cases, many residents) and purchase some or all of the items on the resident’s wish list.

Those interested in participating in the program should call the Concordia community to “adopt” a resident. For those who prefer to send a general gift, the activities staff can suggest newly purchased items that residents typically use.

Items should be wrapped and labeled with either the resident’s name or, if it is a general gift, what the gift is. General gift ideas include sweatshirts, sweatpants, door wreaths, stamps and stationery, digital clocks with large numbers, hair salon gift certificates, and slippers or slipper socks.

Participating locations, contact people and gift deadlines are:

- Concordia at Cabot — Brandy Muth: 724-352-1571, Ext. 8241 (for skilled nursing residents). Gifts by Dec. 15; Jaime White at Ext. 8302 (for personal care residents). Gifts by Dec. 14.

- Concordia of Cranberry — Katelin Dietz or Beth Schultz: 724-779-4300. Gifts by Dec. 16.

- Concordia at the Orchard — Jodi Macko: 724-285-4490. Gifts by Dec. 11.

- Concordia of Wexford — Michelle Moan: 724-935-1266. Gifts by Dec. 21.