Boy Dedicates Birthday To Gifts For Galloway's Senior Citizens

GALLOWAY, NJ — Heather Westenberger has served on the Seashore Gardens Living Center's nursing staff for more than 15 years. As employees of the home for the elderly assessed residents' needs, they realized many residents were short on slippers, socks and other footwear.

Westenberger mentioned the shortage to her son, Dylan Krawiec, who developed a plan. The Cedar Creek High School freshman started a sock-and-slipper collection drive for needy SGLC residents.

He created a Facebook page and asked for donations from family, friends and neighbors. Krawiec collected locally and from as far as California, Idaho and Arizona. In less than a month, Krawiec accumulated more than 500 pairs of socks and slippers — far surpassing his goals.

Krawiec delivered his donations to SGLC on Monday for his 15th birthday. The student was participating in his school's "Cedar Creek Gives Back" program. But his work isn't over yet.

He plans to expand the project into next year by starting earlier and including other homes for the elderly. Krawiec even created a Facebook group called Socks and Slipper for Seniors.

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