Dear Editor:

Some say it takes a tragedy or holiday to bring the best out in people. I disagree. Generous, kind people can be found all year round. We are blessed to live in area with these characteristics and need to be recognized for this.Recently my daughter, and I wrapped up our latest project called "Socks for Seniors," where we collected socks and a variety of items to donate to the local nursing and rehabilitation facilities to be distributed as Christmas gifts to the residents since some may have no family and receive nothing for Christmas.Thanks to the Times News' Stacy Solt's article which gave us the idea and her follow up feature, we got the project up and running. Local television and radio coverage assisted in informing the public and the rest was up to you.Donations filled the boxes in area businesses from Lehighton to New Ringgold, including Penn's Peak Radio, Midas, Asphalt Paving Systems, Classic Beverage, Hiles Brothers, The Batter's Box, The Sports Zoo, JJ's Hair and Tanning, Angela Theater, Tommy's Italian Restaurant, Dr Stephen Puddu's office, Rottet Motors and Dr. Rosalee Rehrig's office. The Albrightsville Lutheran Church even jumped on board, all with the same desire to spread Christmas cheer. The Black Diamond Parrotheads immediately donated $100 to ensure a lot of happy feet and other requests like soft tissues, back scratchers and gloves for sensitive hands to handle wheelchairs easier.An overwhelming response enabled us to distribute gifts to our community friends in the Summit, Mahoning Valley, Maple Shade Meadows, Edgemont Lodge, St. Luke's and Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers.This isn't the fist time I thanked the public for their extraordinary generosity. We have been involved in numerous projects that depend solely upon the community and your response never ceases to amaze us with your outpour of support.Thank you to all of you whose donations helped to make the holidays merry and bright for so many of our friends in the area nursing and rehab centers who may have been forgotten if it wasn't for you.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.Mary Ann Dulaney and Jess KutzaSocks for Seniors Project 2012