Photo courtesy of Jan Mason Boulder Creek Director Jan Mason stands in front of the Giving Tree holding Jazzy inside the Boulder Creek lobby. The tree is decorated with knitted winter clothing that will be given away after the holidays.

MARSHALL — Each Christmas residents and staff at Boulder Creek Assisted Living make a special effort to help those in need.

They have a Giving Tree in the Boulder Creek lobby. It’s decorated with knitted winter clothing that will be given away after the holidays.

“Some people buy them and others knit them,” said Boulder Creek Director Jan Mason. “It works either way. They’re all good quality items that will last for a long time.”

She said last year more than 60 complete sets of clothing (hat, mittens, gloves and socks) were given away. A similar total is expected in 2023.

Besides the clothing, donors place other items under the Giving Tree. They include non-perishable food, health products, and beauty supplies.

Mason launched the Giving Tree after becoming the director at Boulder Creek several years ago. She said part of what motivated her to start the project was advice that she received from her father.

“My dad was very poor,” she said. “He told us kids that if we grew up and made more money than he did he wanted us to give some of it to those who need it. A Giving Tree at Boulder Creek seemed like a good way to follow through on that.”

She said the Giving Tree works because of the large number of people who donate at least one or two items. Boulder Creek is a memory care facility with space for up to 32 residents.

In return for their generosity, donors get the satisfaction of making a difference for others during the holiday season.

“Many of the people we reach don’t receive any public assistance,” Mason said. “They’d qualify but they don’t take it. They fly beneath the radar. Non-profit efforts like our Giving Tree help to fill some of those gaps.”