For the eighth consecutive year the staff at Appalachian Senior Programs, with the assistance of other county agencies, will try to bring some holiday cheer to the lonely or isolated elderly population of the county through Project Star Christmas Trees.

Foster Grandparent Director Tammy Taylor explained that the project targets residents 55 and older and helps bring necessities as well as desired gifts to those who would otherwise not have a joyous holiday season.

“The presents they get through Project Star may be the only thing they will have under their tree if they even have one,” Taylor said.

With the coming of each Christmas, names of needy or isolated elderly citizens are referred to ASP by county agencies including Ashe Really Cares, the Department of Social Services, Jefferson Care Center, Spruce Pine Apartments, and others.

Each recipient’s information is compiled onto a “star” which will be hung onto a Christmas tree, along with many other stars, at numerous locations throughout Ashe County including Wendy’s, Food Lion, Sweet Aromas, and Sally Mae’s Emporium.

These stars include the recipient’s gender, age and list of desired gifts. Taylor said the project strives to protect the confidentiality of each citizen so names are never listed on the tags.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a star from any of the listed locations and can then drop off the donated items at the ASP office in Jefferson by Dec. 4.

“This project would not possible without the people of Ashe County,” Taylor said. “They are the ones who take the time to buy the gifts and make this happen.”

This year, the project will look to serve 180 people and it typically touches the lives of approximately 200 members of the older population each holiday season.

Donations at the individual level are not the only ones that will be accepted by ASP this holiday season. Gates Rubber Company has already pledged to buy 20 food boxes for this year’s project and SkyLine Communications will be donating items to 20 deserving recipients.

Donations are also currently being accepted to help purchase gifts for unreturned stars or those that were not picked up.

A fuel assistance program will also be set up for the “neediest of the needy”, Taylor explained. It is a relatively new component of Project Star.

Appalachian Senior Programs is a federal program through the Corporation for National Services and is sponsored by Appalachian State University.

For more information on the services they provide or Project Star call 846-4898.