Residents at Clearview assisted the activity staff n decorating for the holidays throughout the facility recently. Many of the trees have a certain theme or color to them, but the tree in the dining room is the tree the residents have the most say in decorating. In years past, the tree was a bingo tree where the ornaments were bingo balls and bingo cards. Another year, the ornaments were pictures of each of the residents at Clearview. Most recently, it was a gingerbread tree. Residents would roll out homemade gingerbread ornaments, bake them and then tie them to the tree. This year it has become a "giving tree."

Several times during the school year, children from the elementary building, including preschoolers from the Family Resource Center, visit with the residents.

"They usually make a seasonally craft, color Easter eggs, sing, read, play bingo, or plant flowers to name a few things they do when they are at Clearview," stated Clearview's activity director, Liz Schafer. "These kids even come during the summer for a slip n' slide party in the front yard."

According to Schafer, she proposed to the residents about an opportunity to give back to the young community by collecting needed winter items, like mittens and hats.

"The residents are aware that not everyone has the means to have a dry pair of mittens or gloves to go outside and play in the snow," said Schafer. "These children make such a difference in these people's lives that they want to do something for them."

The tree is decorated with wooden mitten ornaments accented by dark green and cooper balls and cones. Residents hung the ornaments themselves with the help from Schafer. Residents are inviting their families to participate in this mitten drive, along with the staff and visitors at Clearview.

Gloves, mittens, hats, scarves and even socks are being collected until December 16 and later delivered to the Mount Ayr Community school, Diagonal school and the Neighborhood Center. A donation box is located near the tree in the dining room or items can be delivered to the activity office at Clearview Home.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2017