Maryville seniors bring smiles to children around the world
Published December 23, 2022; 2:11 p.m.

Clover Hill resident prepares a gift for a child; image by Clover Hill

MARYVILLE, TN -- Clover Hill Senior Living in Maryville has been collecting gifts and necessities for children to contribute to a charitable cause.

Clover Hill residents and volunteers packed up 50 Christmas boxes for Samaritan's Purse. The boxes are filled with toys, books, hygiene items, and school supplies, all going to children in need around the world.

“We delivered our boxes to the drop-off location and celebrated another year of bringing a smile to 50 children in need!” shares Life Enrichment Director, Lori Zepeda.

The project began in Clover Hill’s ladies' Bible study group because the residents felt it was important to help children all over the world learn about Jesus and feel loved.

“The first year, we packed 25 Christmas boxes and increased that to 50 the next. We pack 25 for boys and 25 for girls ages two to five. We have kept it going for seven years,” Lori says. Residents pack the boxes which are then loaded on the bus and dropped off after saying a prayer.

The project is truly a group effort with many families and residents at Clover Hill getting involved. Residents even create handmade bears for the children. The week before packing boxes, the team purchases the remaining items needed from funds raised every Valentine’s Day from selling gift baskets.

This fundraiser pays for Samaritan’s Purse and for the community’s Senior Reading Program that supports a Title 1 school’s first-grade class in Knoxville. Each project costs around $500 to fund.

More information about Clover Hill Senior Living can be found by visiting their website at dominionseniorliving.com/maryville/.