For more than two decades, the spirit of Christmas has come to life at Sunnyside through a special project that blends craftsmanship, creativity, and compassion.
Many years ago, resident Ed Yarnell, with the help of his wife Mary, began making wooden Christmas cradles. About twenty years ago, he teamed up with Sally Meeth to fill each cradle with handmade treasures. Today, Don Wait leads the cradle-making process with the talented woodworking group known as the Termites. Each cradle is then beautifully hand-painted by resident artists, making every piece one-of-a-kind.
Residents and staff also contribute by sewing cozy blankets and helping prepare the dolls that are nestled into the cradles before being donated to the Salvation Army. These heartfelt gifts are given to local children who might not otherwise receive a doll at Christmas.
This remarkable community effort now involves more than 25 residents and staff members—and continues to embody the generosity and joy that define the Sunnyside spirit.
Special thanks to Cindy Westley for sharing this story and photos.
