BUXTON, N.D.-Gitta Goeser says she's always had a heart for the elderly and veterans, so when a client came into her Grand Forks salon a few years back she was touched by her story.

The woman had collected 900 pairs of pajamas for needy children in the community.

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"She made 900 people smile, and that's just one person," Goeser said. "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."

The HOPE project-an acronym standing for Helping Our Precious Elderly-now is in its third year. Goeser collects useful items, mostly from her clients and other friends, throughout the year. Fleece blankets and flashlights. Stamps and nonslip slippers. Lip balm and butter cookies. Each month she puts a callout for a certain item on her Facebook page.

When someone donates, that person's name is put into a monthly drawing to win a small prize, maybe a $10 gift card.

"It's unbelievable how everyone helps," Goeser said recently in her Buxton home surrounded by a tower of Kleenex tissues and totes overflowing with plush stuffed animals, magnifying glasses and lotion. "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."

For two solid months in October and November, there is daily work to be done-hauling the totes upstairs, opening packages, adding batteries to flashlights, sorting and stacking the hundreds of items that eventually will fill brightly colored bags to the brim. At least 10 items go into each bag. Some others might include special requests such as a sweatshirt or a pair of pajamas.

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

The first year, she delivered about 75 gift bags in one day. The next year, it was 100. And this year, she'll take two days to drop off at least 150 bags to area veterans and residents of Tufte Manor and Wheatland Terrace in Grand Forks.

Spreading the love

The project grows bigger and bigger each year, and Goeser says she'd like to expand it even more next year. She wants to reach the people who might be too proud to ask for help, people in the community who might be falling through the cracks.

"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. "I didn't know it was going to get so big so fast, but I want it to keep growing. 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."

Meantime, the HOPE project has come to be something her family looks forward to each year. And everyone has a special part.

Her husband's employer, Waste Management, does all the fliers and postcards. Her daughter-in-law is the graphic artist. Her kids are the muscle. On Thanksgiving weekend, Goeser's five grandchildren (ages 3 to 14) had a ball getting into the spirit.

"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," she said. "I want it to be a family thing. I think what if my grandkids take over. This could be huge. God can do anything."

How to donate

Goeser says people can learn more about the HOPE project by calling her at (218) 779-5956. Donations can be dropped off at The Ultimate Look, 2150 32nd Ave. S., Door A, Grand Forks.

Donations also can include $5 and $10 gift cards to local grocery stores. People also may download the Square Cash app on their smartphones and click on the "HOPE" icon. Monetary donations go to nursing home residents and/or veterans.