What started out as a way to give back in the community during the holiday season, has turned into a treasured family tradition for a Lacombe family.

It was 3 years ago that Brandy Forgeron says her husband was working away and her family was a bit lonely, so they decided to reach out to the long term care facility at the Lacombe Hospital to Adopt a Grandparent.

Turned out there was a lot more than just one Grandparent in care that could use some joy over the holidays, so they now deliver over 75 gifts every year.

Neighbours, friends, and community members have all jumped up to the challenge, and this year the initiative could use another boost "this year is a little bit slower with the economy, we're about half way there, we always seem to pull ahead in the end and always make our goal and usually then with some extra that we're able to distribute by giving to the rest of the patients in the hospital that are in different parts of the hospital".

Forgeron says the donated gift bags will be handed out by Santa Claus himself and the response is emotional "a lot of times you know the seniors go into long term care facilities and they're not the same as they were a couple years ago, but none of them forget Santa.  So Santa comes in and you have little ladies that are smiling and they're calling him over and they're kissing him on the cheek and men who's eyes grow wide and there are tears because it is something so simple yet so big".

They are looking for $20 gift bag donations with items like: blankets, socks, ornaments, stuffies, sugar free candies, toiletries, crosswords, puzzles, picture frames, and handmade gifts.

You can also simply donate items or cash to the cause.

The deadline is Thursday.

You reach Brandy Forgeron at 587-877-1487, by email at brandyforgeron@me.com or on Facebook.