Local woman brings cheer to the care center

A Havre woman decided to do something to help people deal with the social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sherry Chevalier donated Monday gift baskets she made to Northern Montana Care Center for its residents.

"I wanted to do something with all of this virus, and I felt extremely bad for all of those in hospitals or care centers, especially the care centers where they couldn't see their families," she said.

She said she took care of her father as he grew older, and she realized how much they needed to see their family and he was also a resident at the Northern Montana Care Center.

"I was just trying to figure out something to do that would help in some way and well I thought, 'Maybe the care center and maybe I can get enough money together to make just a basket of goodies,'" she said.

Northern Montana Care Center has 90 residents, she said, adding that she made a gift basket for each one and even had some goodies left over.

The gift baskets, she said, include puzzle books, coloring books, notepads, pens, chapstick, lotion and more.

"I just hope it inspires people to know that you can start something and end up doing something big," Chevalier said. "There's a lot of caring people in Havre and I think sometimes we think well, I can't do it which I couldn't have given 90 bags out of my pocket, but if you get a bunch of friends together they all want to help."