Local dog takes to social media to ensure happy holiday for nursing home residents

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A service dog and his owner took to social media to make sure some people in Brunswick County have a happy holiday Wednesday afternoon. The "Harpo Saves Christmas" effort asked people from everywhere to give gifts to those who are sometimes forgotten.

Harpo and his owner Melissa Martin asked people on Facebook to adopt the residents at Brunswick Cove Living Center.

In a matter of days people from all over southeastern North Carolina and even some from other states adopted all 171 residents and on Christmas Eve, smiling residents received their gifts and some of them even were able to meet the family members who adopted them.

"I think it's important because so many people come into these nursing homes and I think some of their families forget about them. They're here, they don't have visitors they're just kind of dropping to see them. So for Harpo to be here it kind of gives them a little bit of home, it reminds them of their pets back at home but then they also get to interact with the community," Martin explained.

About 50 volunteers were also here today to join in on the fun to help the residents enjoy the holiday a little more.

Copyright 2014 WECT. All rights reserved.