A woman from Buxton, North Dakota is making care packages for seniors just in time for the holidays.

A few years ago, Gitta Goeser was working in her hair salon when a customer came in and told her she had collected 900 pajama sets for needy children.

"She made 900 people smile, and that's just one person," Goeser told the Grand Forks Herald. "I thought 'Oh, my gosh, I want to make people smile.' So, I wondered what can I do. I came home and prayed about it, and bama-lama, it took off."

Goeser created the the HOPE project - an acronym for "Helping Our Precious Elderly" - to aid the elderly veterans in her community.

The project is in its third year, and aims to collect useful items including flashlights, lip balm, slippers, stamps, and tissues.

While Goeser collects supplies throughout the year, the real work begins in October and November. At least ten items go into each parcel, with some bags including special requests such as a sweatshirt or a pair of pajamas. The bags don't pack themselves, but Goeser doesn't mind.

"It's a little blessing in a bag. That's all it is, a little smile and some hope," Goeser said.

"People in the nursing homes at least have the necessities, but there are still some people out there who have to choose between medicine and food," she said. "My heart just breaks because I want to help people with everything they need. I want to do more. I sometimes just need to realize that's not what I'm here for ... God's got the big picture."

When someone donates an item, their name is put into a monthly draw where they have a chance to win a small prize, such as a $10 gift card, as a thank you for their contribution.

The Hope project has become a success in Goeser's community, as she said her initiative has doubled its supply since it first began.

In the HOPE project's first year, Goeser delivered 75 bags. The next year the number rose to 100, and this year she plans on handing out 150 to both elderly veterans and residents of Tufte Manor and Wheatland Terrace in Grand Forks.

The HOPE project has become a family affair, as she's recruited her husband, children, and grandchildren to help out.

"The grandkids put the bags together for me. I want them to understand this is our job as followers of Jesus to love our neighbors. That is the greatest commandment. I want it to be a family thing. I think what if my grandkids take over. This could be huge. God can do anything," she said.

Goeser said the project has shown her how truly generous her community is.

"It's unbelievable how everyone helps," Goeser said. "They're so generous. It's amazing. Who are these people who are so nice? That's why I call it our project because it's not just me. I'm just the one collecting it. Everyone else out there is doing it."

How will you be spreading Christmas cheer this holiday season?