Santa’s Helpers Make Holiday Magic at Highland Springs

Dallas, Texas--Santa really does have a workshop in Texas!  

 

Three resident teams of Highland Springs, an Erickson Living retirement community in North Dallas, collaborated once again to provide beautiful hand-made toy cradle sets, fire trucks and toys to local charities for distribution to children and families in need in the Dallas area.

 

Resident woodworkers of the Woodchuck Group design and construct the cradles, fire trucks and toys.  A group of talented painters then decorate them.  The Sewing Ladies are responsible for assembling the dolls and sewing the mattresses and blankets.  

 

This effort began in 2010 when representatives from the Hobby Crafters Foundation showed the residents designs for sample cradles.  Eight years later, the fruits of this labor are impressive:

 

• The Woodchucks made 150 fire trucks for Operation Once in a Lifetime benefitting active service members and veterans of Fort Hood in Texas and an assistance center for abused children in Collin County.

• The Woodchucks made 2,200 small toys like cars, trucks and helicopters for distribution at local hospitals such as Children's Medical Center in Dallas, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Children's Medical Center in Plano.

• The Woodchucks and Sewing Ladies teamed to create 200 cradle sets for Operation Once in a Lifetime benefitting active service members and veterans of Fort Hood in Texas and an assistance center for abused children in Collin County.

 

Extra fire trucks and cradle sets were sold at Highland Springs in early December as a fundraiser for woodshop operations.

 

The project provides residents with an opportunity to participate in activities utilizing their talents; being a good neighbor to our friends in Dallas and Plano is an excellent motivator.  Many thanks to all of the residents who helped with the construction and decoration of the toys and cradle sets and to everyone who participated in the sale at Highland Springs.

 

The outpouring of generosity is simply overwhelming!  

 

About Highland Springs:  Highland Springs, one of 19 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 89-acre campus in North Dallas, Texas. The community is located in Collin County and is home to more than 1,000 residents. Additional information about Highland Springs can be found at HighlandSpringsCommunity.com.