Now, more than ever, the area nursing and rehab facilities can use an extra dose of holiday spirit.

The Socks for Seniors Project is in full swing once again for its 11th year, thanks to an informative article published by the Times News in 2012 which sparked interest in the community.

Mary Ann Dulaney and daughter, Jessica Kutza, coordinators for the project, with the assistance of eight area businesses/locations are collecting donations of warm socks and other items to distribute to local nursing home/rehab center residents for the holiday season.

“Each year we are overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people. The businesses await the arrival of the boxes and look forward to collecting donations. We don’t want anyone in a nursing facility to be without a Christmas gift and holiday spirit,” said Dulaney. ”We are grateful to everyone who continues year after year to share the spirit of Christmas through this project.”

In addition to donations of non-skid and regular socks, soft tissues, personal care items (shampoo, lotion, chap stick, deodorant, brushes, combs, aftershave, shower caps, small hand sanitizers), individually wrapped snacks or sugar free candy, costume jewelry, garden gloves (for wheelchair use), backscratchers, puzzle books and anything to bring cheer to the elders are appreciated.

Socks for Seniors is a nationwide service project that supports individual efforts to hold sock drives in local communities. Founded in Columbus, Ohio, this was to ensure that all seniors, even those without family members, would have a gift to open at the holidays.

New, unwrapped items can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Coaldale: Tommy’s Restaurant

• Lansford: Cynthia’s Cynful Styles

• Summit Hill: Hiles Brothers

• Nesquehoning: Classic Beverage

• Jim Thorpe: Mauch Chunk 5 & 10

• Lehighton: Beacon 443

• Tamaqua: Dr Puddu’s office, M&S Hardware

To take part in the Socks for Seniors program, simply drop off a new, unwrapped item at a local drop-off box. The deadline is Dec. 12. Anyone with questions or any Nursing Center in need of gifts can contact Dulaney at 570-645-4228 or madula@ptd.net.