ALLENDALE, Mich. — Solar-powered plastic daisy trinkets whir back and forth from their sunny spot on the windowsill. A colorful bird clock coos each hour that passes. Family photos dangle from strands of silver tinsel on the walls.
It takes years to fill a home with so much life. Maybe that’s why Doris Smeckert’s home has so much.
Doris is 107 years old.
She can't tell you the secret to making it to 107 (though she does enjoy Cheetos). She doesn't have any advice for those younger than her, because she still feels like she's figuring it all out. And she couldn't even begin to explain why the Lord hasn't taken her yet.
“The only thing I know is I make boxes, and people seem to enjoy them," she said.
Her room at the Green Acres of Allendale nursing home may be full of items she’s collected, but her time? That, she chooses to give away.
She spends her days folding greeting cards into small gift boxes. Typically, a card from a loved one is appreciated but gets one use before it's thrown away. Doris found her purpose in repurposing.
"Years ago I learned how to do it. And I just love to make boxes. And so I make them and give them to anybody that wants them," said Doris.
At her age, life can sometimes put her in a box. Doris, instead, thinks outside of it.
While she's waiting for her breakfast to be delivered, she folds. Waiting for the dishes to be picked up, she cuts. Waiting for an afternoon doctor visit, she glues.
“I just keep going," she laughed. “Some people like to put jewelry in them, some could be for gift boxes, with a little gift of some kind."
Little gifts that have created quite a ripple effect.
"Ripple Effect started out as a resale shop in Allendale, just to raise money for local and global missions," said Heather Devereaux, executive director.
Ripple Effect is a thrift store on Lake Michigan Drive that takes in donations from the community, then uses their sales to support other charities.
“Doris decided that one day, she just wanted to give her boxes to us so that we could start raising money for the programs that we have," said Heather, pointing to the shelf where Doris' boxes are displayed.
“They're only 99 cents, but those little things add up. They add up to big things."
The proceeds from the boxes go toward Bridget's House. It's a nonprofit that supports women and their children experiencing housing instability.
“They have been flying off the shelves, literally," Heather smiled.
Doris sold 10 on the first day they were for sale. Her daughter-in-law, Teresa, has to replenish the store sometimes multiple times a week to keep up with demand.
“The fact that she's 107 years old is unbelievable in and of itself, let alone that every day she's just dedicating her life to helping other people," smiled Heather.
“Why do I do it? Just because I like to. And people seem to enjoy it. That’s important," said Doris.
“It really does make an impact, and it really can change our world. And Doris is doing that one box at a time," said Heather.
Good things come in small packages. The trinkets in Doris’ home prove it true.
But with the small packages Doris makes at her kitchen table, as her oxygen tank whirs by her side, it's hard to tell who is breathing life into whom.
“My fingers aren't too good anymore, so I might have to give it up someday," said Doris, smiling. "But as long as I can."
►You can go get one of Doris gift boxes for yourself at Ripple Effect, located at 6561 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale, MI 49401.