Community comes together to support new Senior Snowflakes program

Marcus Hall, Cody Roberts, Donny Roberts, Jae Miller-Roberts, Annabella Roberts, Cara Quick, Sammie McCullough, and Kalli McCullough helped put together packages for the Senior Snowflakes program Tuesday evening.

Photo by Gabe Franklin | Daily Mail

While many of us celebrate this holiday season, there are others who sadly spend it alone and without joy, however, a local group has taken up the challenge of bringing the cheer back to the holidays for numerous area residents.

“The purpose of Senior Snowflakes is to spread some cheer and let individuals that may be alone, know they have purpose, are valued and cared about during the holiday season,” Carol Branham explained. “2021 has provided an us opportunity to connect with individuals that may be alone during the holidays. Our three agencies partnered for this new program, Senior Snowflakes. Names of senior citizens across Vernon County were submitted by various agencies and individuals.”

Jae Miller said. “Partners include KNEM/KNMO Radio, Nevada Housing Authority and Osage Prairie YMCA. Founding members include Jae Miller-Roberts, Cara Quick, Carol Branham and Sammi McCullough.

People could donate by picking a snowflake off a tree with locations at the radio station, Osage Prairie YMCA, Kitchen Essentials, Elite Fit Gym and Frank E. Peters Golf Course or they could provide a cash donation.

Locations served include Barrone, Medicalodge, Nevada Heights, Nevada Housing, Spring Village, The Bungalows of Nevada, Bristol Manor, Joe Clark, Ash Place and in the surrounding communities of Sheldon, Schell City, Bronaugh, Hume and Deerfield.”

“The outpouring of generosity from the community this first year has met our goal of 50 sponsors to spread the love this holiday season to 50 senior citizens,” Branham said. “Vernon County is a great caring community and the success of this is another great example of that.”

Senior Snowflake Donors include May's Floral, White Ember, Record Harvest, Hertzberg, Wagon Wheel, Kitchen Essentials, Smith Insurance, US Bank, Great Southern Bank, Foster-State Farm Insurance, 54 Feed and Seed, Deana Archer, Thorpe's, TCB Towing and Auto Service, Peerless, Sharky's, Automotive Innovations, Farmer's Ag and Grain, Barnes Company, Nancy Eaton, Marsha Hooper, G.S. Supply Rental Center, Thompson Insurance Agency, Edward Jones-Myles Miller, Cyndia and Jerry Haggard, Patricia Blake, Richard O'neil, Ike Richmond, ETA THETA BETA SIGMA PHI, Bushwhackers Quilters Guild, Lilly's Accounting, and Nevada Family Dentistry.