Submitted

A group of local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts shared some Christmas magic with residents of two care homes in Hays on Saturday.

Girl Scout Troops 11203 and 11266 met at Via Christi Nursing Home (formerly St John’s Nursing Home).

The girls were full of excitement, Christmas cheer and over flowing with giggles.

They each grabbed a gift bag and a blanket and skipped off to find their intended recipient. Not only did they bring much welcomed gifts, but the joy of youth.

After the gifts were delivered, the girls were off to the Hays Good Samaritan Nursing Home where they were met by Boy Scout Troop 101.

At Hays Good Sam’s, the Scouts went in teams to do Santa’s work delivering a gift bag and lap robe to their assigned recipients.

One dear lady was celebrating her birthday so the Scouts sung her a rousing version of “Happy Birthday,” much to her delight.

By all accounts the gift bags and lap robes were greatly appreciated as were the visits from these wonderful Scouts.

The Scouts were given keepsake of hopefully the first of many years to come of the annual Christmas Magic gift bag event. One was left on each home’s Christmas tree as well.

The Scouts are all excited and enthusiastic about doing it again next year.

Thanks to the generosity and compassion of donors, 68 deserving veterans and elderly will have a merrier Christmas.