BATTLE MOUNTAIN - Battle Mountain General Hospital staff and employees of The Battle Mountain Bugle unloaded three car loads of gifts for the residents of Battle Mountain General Hospital's Long-term Care Facility on Dec. 23.
The Bugle's Angel Tree was set up at The Colt on Nov. 27 and by Dec. 6, all 34 tags were taken, said Bugle Office Assistant Teri Spring, who was in charge of the project.
"There were a lot more gifts than I expected and a lot more than last year," Spring said. "I want to thank everybody in the community who supported the project, including The Colt. I feel like our office was bursting at the seams with gifts. The smiles on the seniors' faces was gift enough for any amount of work it took to make this happen."
Bugle Ad Representative Kayla Love-Koseck said the Angel Tree helped get her into the holiday spirit.
"Once again, the community support has been overwhelming," she said. "I personally would like to thank the community. It's truly a pleasure for me to be able to deliver the gifts to our senior citizens."
There were a total of 17 seniors but Spring split the wish lists in half so there would be twice as many opportunities for people to give. The gifts were opened by the facility's residents on Christmas morning and contained everything from slippers and clothing to candy and soda.
"Wow. This is awesome," said Ruby Bryant, activity director for the facility. "The community has never disappointed me. Very giving."
Wanda Nelson, The Colt casino manager, said she was glad The Colt was able to help by hosting the Angel Tree.
"We were happy to do it and we love doing something for the community," she said. "We just want to see them all have a Merry Christmas so I hope they all got everything they wanted."
Spring said the project is near and dear to her heart because she used to work at Highland Manor, a long-term care facility in Elko, and because her grandparents used to be residents of the one here in Battle Mountain.
"I realized that some of the residents have families that come and see them and bring them things but there are others who really have no one," she said. "It feels great to know that by my hosting the Angel Tree and gathering gifts, it can brighten their spirits."[[In-content Ad]]
