Nacogdoches family delivers Christmas donations to nursing home, starts non-profit

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - In light of the holiday season, one East Texas family started “Operation Christmas Tree”, with the goal of sharing Christmas cheer with a Nacogdoches nursing home, by bringing small trees and blankets to their residents.

“Some of them are in their room quite a bit throughout the day, it’s just the same thing each day and just maybe having that tree just bringing that light and uplifting the Christmas spirit in the room is really important.”

But after seeing it’s impact, they came back two weeks later – with more gifts, more treats and a much bigger vision. Which is where the “Timeless Compassion Project” came to life.

“We brought painted canvases from the oldest girls, we brought candy canes, cookies, and stuffed animals, so we’re hoping everyone can at least get something today.”

Jared, Ariel and their six kids Sophia, Amira, Zeke, Cami, Jaise and Ezra set out today to deliver the rest of their gifts to the people in the nursing home – who they say often feel forgotten.

“I feel like a lot of time … they typically go to the homeless, they go to the children, and the nursing home typically get forgotten," Ariel said. “And some of them don’t have any family in the area, they don’t ever get any visitors, so its nice to have a face to talk to as well,” Jared added.

It’s why they say that they hope that the community can help get involved, and see how important is to help the seniors of the community feel seen and loved during the holiday season.

And each kid had different favorite parts.

For 14-year old Sophia, it was decorating the tree and giving it to them. For Amira, it was “seeing the smiles on the people’s faces”.

So the Higginbotham family hopes to continue blessing the seniors in Nacogdoches all year long, and in the future branching off to all of East Texas.

For those interested in helping donate or getting involved with the Timeless Compassion Project, can reach out to them on Facebook here.

They are planning to apply for a 501c after the holiday season.