VICKSBURG — Christmas morning was a little brighter thanks the generosity of anonymous people in Warren County.

Rather, they’re “Christmas Angels” to Amie Brooks, the activity director at The Bluffs Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Vicksburg.

Brooks, who has been at The Bluffs for the last two years, has worked in the nursing home industry for several years and one of her favorite projects is having the community adopt residents at the nursing home facility.

“This project has been near and dear to my heart for over 16 years,” Brooks said. “The nursing home community has always been able to utilize the Salvation Army Angel Tree for seniors, but sadly, this is no longer a service provided to us.”

Feeling anxious

She said the Salvation Army delivers socks to residents every Christmas, “and we are grateful for that, but we still like to give our residents a fun gift to open every year, and we depend on our staff and community to do this.”

Unfortunately, Brooks and her assistant, Tammie Brown, were struggling to make sure all of the residents at The Bluffs would be adopted this year for Christmas.

“For the first time, we were worried that our residents wouldn’t be adopted, so we asked our staff again to reach out to their friends and families,” Brooks said. “And wouldn’t you know it, my belief and faith was restored once again due to the community we are so grateful for.”

Group comes through

Brooks said a group of friends, who wish to remain anonymous, decided to get together and raise nearly $900 to provide Christmas for the residents at The Bluffs.

“We are so grateful and we know this group wants to remain our secret Santa, but I just can’t keep the joy to myself and want the world and the secret Santa’s to know that we are so grateful and absolutely thrilled that once again the tradition has been kept alive,” Brooks said. “And to me, that means the Spirit of Christmas is alive and well right here in our little hometown of Vicksburg.”

Brooks said the community has always supported the residents at The Bluffs and she hopes the feeling of Christmas lasts throughout the year.

“We are so grateful to all of the community that comes together for the benefit of our residents,” Brooks said. “It’s good to know our community still cares about our seniors as much as we do.”