Even though the leaves are still turning and temperatures are reaching above 70 degrees, the Ironton Eagles Auxiliary is feeling the Christmas spirit.

The club is working daily on a Christmas project with hopes to make the holiday brighter for others.

With the auxiliary consisting of many new faces this year, the members were looking into new project ideas as well, and chose to give gifts to the residents of two local nursing homes at Christmastime this year.

Auxiliary president Vickie Roberts said she feels the elderly are often forgotten about during the holiday.

“I’ve worked in a nursing home before and it’s sad this time of year for the residents,” Roberts said.

There are 300 residents between Jo-Lin Health Center and Sanctuary of the Ohio Valley and the auxiliary’s goal is to spend around $100 on each resident. They realize it’s a big goal and that’s why Roberts said they have started a little early this year.

“We decided we want to do something in this community,” Roberts said. They are looking for help from businesses and individuals in the area and Roberts said the response from people has been great.

“It’s just tickled us to death,” she said.

Some people have given $5 or whatever they can spare, and other businesses and individuals, especially those represented in the auxiliary, have promised to give $100 to completely sponsor one resident.

“We haven’t taken the money from them yet, but they know we will,” Roberts laughed.

While they have raised more than $400, it is a long way from the goal of $3,000, and the club is looking to the community for support on this project.

“Every bit adds up,” Roberts said.

Roberts said the auxiliary has sizes of each resident. The auxiliary will go into each nursing home and have a party for the residents, where they will distribute the gifts and sing Christmas carols throughout the hallways and in activity room.

Roberts said the auxiliary has a Christmas tree decorated with the names of the residents, and they call it their angel tree.

She is thankful for the help they’ve received so far.

“We are busy,” she said. “We are having a ball.”

Monetary donations can be made to the Ironton Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, 1305 S. Third St., Ironton, OH 45638.

For more information on the project, contact Roberts at (740) 532-0344.