OBERLIN — St. Francis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oberlin is making sure its residents are remembered this holiday season by asking the community to adopt a resident.

Activity Director Telecia Chatman said the holiday season is a special time for the residents and those who share it with them.

She is asking the community to adopt an elderly resident and help spread the holiday cheer by ensuring that every resident will have something under the Christmas tree.

“I just want to give this community and surrounding communities a chance to give back,” Chatman said. “We have quite a few residents who have little or no family to share the holiday season with. This is a chance to bring the holiday spirit back to their hearts and a chance for them to have two or three gifts under the tree.”

This is the first year the home has organized the adopt a resident program, but Chatman hopes to make it an annual event.

Churches, clubs, organizations and individuals who are interested in adopting a resident should contact Chatman.

Chatman will provide information that will help in selecting gifts for the adopted resident to include

details of their wants and needs, favorite color, snack, hobbies and clothes size.

The home currently has 68 residents ranging in ages from 42 to 91.

All gifts should be dropped off or mailed to the home by Friday, Dec. 17.

Volunteers will help place the presents under the home’s trees in time for the Christmas party on Dec. 23.

“It will be so fun to have the residents pass by the tree and see their names on a couple of gifts,” Chatman said.

Chatman has already had an overwhelming response since announcing the program this week.

“It’s heartwarming to see there are still people willing to give,” she said.

For more information or to adopt a resident, contact Chatman at 337-639-2934.