The 15 residents at Golden Horizons Assisted Living in Tower had their holiday spirits brightened last week, when volunteers from Soudan Baptist Church visited to sing carols and deliver presents. Lynn Watts led the sing-along on the piano, and residents sang out of large-print songbooks, going through all the holiday favorites. With Soudan Baptist Pastor Gary Watts’s gentle encouragement, everyone in the room was singing along.

Church members were inspired by the Adopt-a-Senior program started by Bob Romig, who is known to many in the community for his work at the Soudan Baptist VBS programs over the years. Romig and his wife Gale started the program about five years ago, when they realized that a growing number of seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities were without families to visit over the holiday. The first year the couple handed out gifts to about 65 seniors. This year, with an ever-growing web of community volunteers, they are serving over 600 seniors.

This is the first year Soudan Baptist has participated in the Adopt-a-Senior program. And the model of having a church congregation “adopt” a facility is one that is allowing the program to grow year to year.

“The whole church just got behind it,” said Romig about Soudan Baptist’s involvement. “We are really looking for that.”

‘The program had drastically outgrown us,” said Bob, who said the idea of shopping for gifts for over 600 seniors, let alone paying for them, was daunting.

“There is only so much we can do,” he said. “Honestly, it was a strain this year.”

This was the third year the program sent gifts to the residents at Golden Horizons, but the gift-giving from Soudan Baptist was above-and-beyond the past years’ efforts, with each resident receiving multiple gifts.

The program serves seniors with three tiers of need. Some seniors are in need of the basic necessities, others just need a little help, and the rest just need to be remembered.

“They are thrilled with the idea that there is somebody out there who cares that they are alive,” said Romig. “It helps them see the real meaning of Christmas, and demonstrates the love of God.”

The seniors at Golden Horizons were clearly delighted with their gifts, down to every last bit of wrapping paper and bows. They were amazed that clothing came in the right size and their favorite colors, and their excitement while unwrapping their gifts was a gift to those who helped out with the program that day.

Chuck Brandt, of Soudan, coordinated the effort in Tower-Soudan. He got a list of residents at Golden Horizons, and the staff helped prepare a personalized gift wish list for each resident. Then church members “adopted” one or two residents, and shopped and wrapped gifts. The church also collected gifts for another half dozen elderly residents in Ely.

“What a surprise,” said Golden Horizons resident Georgina Johnson. “This has made my Christmas.” As Georgina unwrapped her gifts, which included a holiday-themed top and a warm throw, she was beaming from ear to ear.

“I just love my presents,” she said. Johnson had not been looking forward to Christmas this year, because of recent deaths in her family, but the surprise gifts quickly put her in a holiday mood.

Others in the room echoed her sentiments. Gifts included sugar-free sweets for those who couldn’t eat sugar, warm tops and blankets, puzzle books, and holiday ornaments. Some church members were acquainted with specific residents, and this made the gift-giving even more personal. Each resident also received a Christmas card with a personalized message.

The Adopt-a-Senior program serves seniors on the Range and surrounding communities. Fundraising is done locally, and this year the program received a grant from Lake Country Power to help cover some of the expenses. The Romigs also set up a table at the Thunderbird Mall to solicit donations for the program this year, and other churches in the area helped with fundraising and gift-shopping.

Romig said there are still area seniors the program is not reaching, including in Ely. Anyone wishing to learn more about the program, make a donation, or offer to volunteer can call Bob or Gale at 744-7979. Romig runs the American Missionary Fellowship and is the interim pastor at North Country Christian Center in Eveleth.

“People and the Lord provide,” he said.