TDCJ Ellis Unit Employees Celebrate Silver Angel Christmas

Making the world around them a better place is something TDCJ staff strive for each and every day. Many times those efforts are from behind the perimeter fence, but today was no ordinary day for the staff at the Ellis Unit. Their gray uniforms looked a little more red & white as they visited a local nursing home in Trinity to celebrate the annual Silver Angel Christmas.

Ellis Unit employees delivering gifts

The staff "adopts" about 15 residents of the Avalon Nursing Home in Trinity who don't have any family or financial means for Christmas. Their names are divided up by departments within the Ellis Unit with a "wish list" of clothing and shoe sizes. The personnel get creative with their gifts. The ladies enjoy receiving jewelry, lap blankets, bedspreads, socks, house shoes, lotions, snacks, baby dolls and teddy bears. The men appreciate shirts, sweat pants, socks, house shoes, after shave and cologne. In years past some bedridden residents have received televisions and VCRs/DVRs.

Ellis Unit employees delivering gifts

After delivering the wrapped gifts, staff sang a few Christmas carols. Ellis Unit warden Michael Roesler says giving back to the community is just one way for employees to reflect the agency's core values. "I can't think of a more worthy cause than making our seniors' holidays a brighter and more enjoyable time," said Roesler. "We are blessed and our lives are enriched through this opportunity."

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