WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County Council on Aging’s Angel Tree is a holiday tradition that makes Christmas special for about 250 of the county’s senior citizens.

Staff members at the Council’s Senior Center have filled the tree with paper angels representing the Council’s Meals on Wheels clients or a senior who eats and participates at the Senior Center.

To participate, each volunteer picks an angel from the Angel Tree, then picks up a 32 quart plastic tote (provided by the Center), fills it with non-perishable items – soap, paper towels, socks, cleaning supplies, slippers, skin creams, soups, a special little gift, puzzle books, toiletries and other personal items. The tote is then taken back to the Senior Center for distribution.

Anyone wishing to pay for a tote to be filled and delivered, the cost is $35.

“These items make a big difference for seniors who are living restricted lifestyles due to age, income or transportation issues,” said the Center’s director Angela Connor who initiated the Angel Tree program 15 years ago.

“Living alone can be desperately lonely for seniors, especially during holidays,” she said. “Receiving the totes is a personal touch that lets them know somebody really cares about them. The totes full of gifts brings them a lot of joy.”

The filled plastic totes must be returned to the Center, located at 210 E. Washington St. in Winnsboro, by Dec. 5. For more information, call (803)635-3015.