COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KRHD) — As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to spending time with loved ones. But for residents in nursing homes, this time of year can feel particularly lonely.
That's why Aggieland Lighting & Design in College Station is stepping up with a donation drive, hoping to make the holidays brighter for seniors in the community.
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"I hope that it makes a difference to them like it's already making for us," said Hunter Lapp, sales manager at Aggieland Lighting & Design.
The business, which typically brightens homes around the Brazos Valley with holiday lighting, is now focusing on brightening neighbors' hearts. They've launched a donation drive for nursing home residents who might not receive much company during the holidays.
Instead of toys, the wishlist focuses on basic necessities that seniors rely on but sometimes can't easily access.
"A lot of the items we have are everyday necessities like deodorant and shampoo and soaps and just things for the winter that to keep them warm," Lapp said.
For Lapp, this drive isn't just about donations — it's about the community showing seniors they matter.
"They're going through battles that we're not going through every day and ones that they didn't ask for. So, I think it's super important to think about them because a lot of the times we don't," Lapp said.
What started as a small initiative has quickly grown into a community-wide movement.
"I've had to increase the Amazon wishlist twice now. I talked to two nursing homes and my mindset was, what if we don't get enough to give to both of them? And now, I'm kind of like, what do we give to both of them because we have so many items," Lapp said.
The overwhelming response reflects the character of the Bryan-College Station community, according to Lapp.
"I think it kind of shows the kind of town that Bryan-College Station is. I do feel like that anytime someone needs something, we somehow all rally together," Lapp said.
The business will accept donations until Friday, Dec. 12 and plans to deliver everything to nursing homes on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
