Submitted photo The Upshur County Christian men’s group Band of Brothers recently donated $1,000 to Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center. Pictured here from left are Band of Brothers members: John Simons, Kevin Hawkins, Steve Foster, Al Tucker, Buck Edwards and Tim Rock.

ELKINS — Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center residents had a merrier Christmas thanks to a donation by an Upshur County Christian men’s group.

For the past five years, the organization made up of men from various churches throughout Upshur County raised funds to help needy children. But with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and morale running low in long-term care facilities throughout the state, the group decided to change it up this Christmas season and donate funds to nursing facilities to help brighten their holiday.

The group has donated funds to long-term care facilities throughout the region and they recently contributed $1,000 to ERCC to help the residents and staff enjoy their Christmas season.

“This donation helped us make Christmas a little bit brighter for our residents and staff,” ERCC Administrator Tara Shaver said. The funds were used to benefit all of the residents and staff, she added.

The Christian men’s group raises money by selling 2021 West Virginia Scenic Calendars. The calendars are $15 a piece. The group also raises money through donations.

“They’re a wonderful group of guys who really do a lot in this community,” Shaver said. “We’re so happy that they chose to help us and other nursing facilities around the area out this Christmas.”