This year, Christmas cheer for Ponoka care residents came in the form of hand-delivered poinsettias.
Over the past week, local teenager Dustin Ellingson has delivered 320 poinsettias across the community of Ponoka.
Ellingson said that it’s a simple token of appreciation. Even though he wasn’t able to meet with every resident that received a poinsettias, the ones he did talk to were beyond excited.
“Seniors are important. It’s been a rough year with COVID so we thought for FCSS and the care residents it would be nice for Christmas and nice to show our appreciation for being part of the community,” said Ellingson.
This is the second year that Ellingson — through sponorship and donations from local businesses and the help of other volunteers — has gifted poinsettias and this year the total doubled.
Poinsettias were delievered to Northcott, the Goal Ward, the Hospital Auxiliary, Legion Arms, Seasons Ponoka, Rimoka, Slater Place, Reid Manor and the Battle River Medical Clinic.
On Dec. 11, he was helping fill Santa’s sleigh but this month he also teamed up with Dale and Kathy Layden to stuff and donate 47 purses to donate to Ponoka FCSS and Ponoka Victim Services.
Even though he’s only 15, he said he has either been part of, or organized over 80 fundraisers. Plans are already in the works for a February fundraiser and there are still a few things going on before he calls it a wrap for the holiday season.
He will be collecting donations for the Ponoka Food Bank. Donations can be dropped off at Red Neck Barbie in Ponoka.