THE Paying It Forward Christmas Gift Project for Seniors had its second day of wrapping with over two hundred gifts wrapped and labeled.
The initiative is an idea brought to life by Coffs Harbor local Margaret Schumacher.

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“In July Mrs Claus Coffs Coast (me) was talking to a man who cares for the elderly in our community and he mentioned that some elderly people do not get Christmas presents,” Margaret told News Of The Area .
âFrom that little conversation, an idea was born⦠the Pay it Forward Christmas present for seniors.
The first Facebook post requesting donations of new gifts for senior men and women received a very positive response.
âWe received messages and phone calls asking us what was needed.
âMembers offered to design and manufacture gift tags, gift wrapping paper was donated, gift tags were designed.
âAnother member offered to do Worry Worms and my husband did 200 Believe Bells.
âAnother member eagerly offered to make Christmas masks. “
Members donated wool and Christmas material.
The gifts were purchased with love, said Margaret, “with old grandparents, relatives and friends in mind who were no longer with us.”
In just over six weeks, Schumacher’s guest room was overrun with bags and boxes of gifts.
A decision was made to start packing earlier and to close the donation date earlier than planned.
The first day of packaging has arrived.
âIn three and a half hours, we wrapped, labeled and boxed 110 gifts.
“These gifts were gratefully accepted by the Nambucca Pacifica Nursing Home.”
The second day of packaging has been set for Saturday, October 16.
âMembers eagerly offer to help wrap and wrap.
âThe daily donations arrived with members crossing our aisle.
âI sat down and talked to people who donated in memory of their mother or father.
âI listened to their memories.
âA few tears flowed. “
Once again, Margaret facilitated the wrapping session which brought members and family home loaded with wrapping paper gifts.
âWe wrapped 217 gifts.
âWe had fun and our hearts are happy,â said Margaret.
These gifts will be delivered to Coffs Harbor Home Care who will provide gifts to their clients and will be delivered by their staff.
By Andrea FERRARI
Left to Right: Shirley, Linda, Margaret, Cindy, Maryanne and Sharon – Backstage Christmas Gifts for Seniors.
Gifts galore to prepare for Christmas.