Voted Best Senior Care Community in Will County

Timbers of Shorewood receives 90 gift baskets from neighbor

Talk about a good neighbor… Tami Wadas of Shorewood collected items for 90 gift baskets for Mother’s Day for the women residents of The Timbers of Shorewood.

Wadas has no relatives or friends who live at the Timbers, nor does she know any staff members. By day, she is an auditor for the State of Illinois, so collecting for the baskets was during her free time. She is just a good-hearted, generous neighbors who thought up this unique kindness.

To begin, she put a small ad on Facebook asking for donations of funds or products for her project.  

“The generosity of this town is amazing,” she said. “Two Girl Scout troops volunteered to create Mother’s Day greeting cards, one per basket. I especially want to thank Darcy Motors, Walgreens, Jewel-Osco, and Jim Delaney of Allstate Insurance. They went above and beyond.”

Wadas bought 90 baskets from the Dollar Store. In each was:

  • A crossword puzzle book
  • Post-it notes
  • Nail file
  • Lip balm
  • Hand cream
  • A scratch-off lottery ticket
  • Pens
  • Playing cards
  • Magazines
  • A Girl Scout greeting card
  • A note that said, “From your friends and neighbors.”

Tami Wadas’ name was not included. She said, “It’s not about me.”

Assembly of the baskets was challenging. The products snaked throughout Wadas’ home. She said it took two days to walk through the assembly line 90 times. Delivery included two jam-packed cars – a Jeep and an SUV.

“There are not enough ways to thank Tami Wadas,” said Amy Odell, director of activities at The Timbers of Shorewood. “The residents at the Timbers were all so surprised and grateful to receive such beautiful baskets for Mother’s Day. We know the baskets were filled not only with wonderful gifts, but also kindness and love.”

The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community that provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Residents whose needs may change are able to stay in the same place and receive appropriate and compassionate care. Furnished apartments are also available for short-term stays.

For more information, call 815-609-0669