CANTON Regina Bess celebrated her 90th birthday on New Year's Eve in the usual way, receiving well wishes from family and longtime friends at her home.
But the widowed mother of three and great-grandmother of six added something new: Instead of asking for personal gifts, Bess asked her loved ones to bless someone else.
One evening, while watching a news report about the homeless and knowing that winter was fast approaching, she questioned how she could help to keep them warm. So, in lieu of gifts, Bess requested blankets for the homeless. The blankets donated by her family and friends will be given in her name to homeless shelters in the Canton area.
She hopes blankets will be donated each year in her name to continue her legacy.