Please join Travel Expert Anne McAlpin and Jo Parker of WillowCreek Gifts, in making a difference for seniors in the Rogue Valley. Two years ago, Anne suggested the idea for a “pay-it-forward” scarf donation program. The program turned-out to be a huge success with 130 new and gently-used scarves being donated to the Scarves-for-Seniors program. In 2015, donations eclipsed the first year by a sizable margin, thanks to an incredibly generous community taking part in the program.

Parker says, “Last year, because of our customers’ generosity, WillowCreek was able to donate dozens of amazing scarves to Food & Friends.” Evelyn Kinsella, Food & Friends Director, was incredibly impressed and grateful for the volume and quality of the scarves donated and distributed before Christmas to seniors. Kinsella reported, “Once again, we received some lovely Thank You notes from recipients, and we really appreciate everyone’s efforts and generosity.”

Jo and Anne created the event, knowing full-well that many women in the community would respond positively. “Many ladies who shop in my store with a closet full of scarves they hardly wear anymore, have been a key to making this work,” Jo notes. The Scarves-for-Seniors event turned-out to be a win-win, filling a need for community members while providing an outlet for others to clean their closets and make room for new scarves!

Scarves-for-Seniors will be accepting gently-used scarves from October 1 until November 15, 2016. Simply bring them into WillowCreek at 115 W. California Street and they will be donated to a needy senior through the Food & Friends organization.