It’s a gift from the heart — three trees in Avery County with hearts hanging from the branches. Each heart holds the wishes of an older person in the county who could use a little cheering up.

Buffy Clark has always done community service, but she has taken it one step further over the past few years by getting involved in Gifts from the Heart.

“You get more of a blessing out of it than they do,” Clark said.

It’s a program started more than 30 years ago by Rachel Deal and Jean Ray to give gifts to older residents for Valentine's Day.

“They come here and they pick up which one they want and then they sign their name on the sheet and put their phone number. They just bring it back to this location when they get their gift done,” Clark said.

Related: Gifts from the Heart seeks help for Valentine's Day

Everyone on the tree is over the age of 55.

This year they have 198 people. They are either stuck in their homes, in a nursing home or in hospice. They either have no family or have no access to family. Each person's name was given to them by a doctor, senior center or hospice if they think the person needs a little happiness.

“We have 52 hospice patients,” Clark said.

Each heart lists items that they need, like warm socks or a blanket. Some just ask for a cheer-up basket.

This year, Clark is worried. Co-founder Deal died in July at the age of 92 and since then, fewer people have been taking hearts. While they would normally only have 10 left by now, they have dozens.

“She was our mouthpiece,” Clark said.

They are in need of some help.

“Some people, it might be the only gift they get. It might be the only thing they have," Clark said. "It might be the only connection they have showing that people care about them."

If you would like to help Gifts from the Heart, you can email giftsfromheartc@gmail.com or call 828-260-5208.