CRESTVIEW — Colorful Easter baskets were slowly taking over the Jackson Hewitt office's lobby as volunteers prepared for the firm's annual distribution.
The company annually partners with Emerald Coast Hospice. This year baskets containing toiletries, candy, plush animals and sometimes game books went to every resident at Crestview Manor and Stanley House in DeFuniak Springs.
This year's effort was expected to result in more than 120 baskets, said organizer Shirley Perring, a registered senior tax preparer.
Each Jackson Hewitt employee prepares as many baskets as he or she wishes, she said. As of March 30 they had enough to cover the Manor's 62 residents, plus 40 Stanley House residents in DeFuniak Springs.
"If there's enough left over, we're going to deliver them to Silvercrest Manor," Perring said. "We expect to meet our goal."
Two of the company's clients each donated a Publix sheet cake to deliver to Crestview Manor and Stanley House, Perring said.
Any leftover basket components were donated to the Manor to use as bingo prizes, she said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Business prepares Easter baskets for assisted living residents