Residents at St. John’s Lutheran Home really know something about the Christmas spirit.

Each year the St. John’s Auxiliary buys Christmas presents for all the residents, but this year the residents voted not to receive gifts and to use the money to buy toys for the Salvation Army’s toy drive.

“To help with shopping money we hosted a fundraiser,” Volunteer Coordinator Carla Reichel said.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 11 they hosted a soup and salad luncheon with help from donations by Nelson’s Market Place, Mrs. Gerry’s and Lund’s.

“Many of our fantastic staff, volunteers and community attended to show their support for the residents and the cause,” Reichel said.

The residents also made homemade vegetable beef soup, chili and pineapple upside down cake. Donations were accepted at the lunch, which helped bring in more than $1,100.

“The residents used the money to buy toys when they went shopping,” Reichel said.

Residents got to go shopping for the gifts themselves, and with the donations from the lunch and the auxiliary money they were able to spend about $2,300.

In 2010, the Albert Lea Salvation Army gave presents to almost 900 children in the area. The Salvation Army projected a bigger need this year. Any money the residents don’t use while shopping will be donated to the Salvation Army food shelf.