Couple creates winter wonderland at senior center

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The senior citizens at West Oaks Village have their own Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the holidays.

Rick and Emma Ferguson moved in five years ago. They've been bringing the North Pole to the fourth floor ever since.

"We've seen so many people just light up, just by seeing, just walking up in the middle of the night," Rick Ferguson said, "Just being in Christmas."

The walls are draped in garland, and paper snowflakes hang from the ceiling. Dozens of decorated Christmas trees line the hallways. The Fergusons acquired a toy train, dancing reindeer and sparkling ornaments from consignment shops.

Residents are delighted.

"The tears just started to roll down, I'm so overwhelmed," Margaret Bratton says, "It's so beautiful."

But what brought the Fergusons to West Oaks Village isn't cheerful at all.

"There had been a fire that started in our apartment," Emma Ferguson says, "And it actually spread through most of the building."

The Fergusons had no insurance. They lost most everything, but they learned something else.

"After the fire, we discovered it's just stuff," Rick says, "You know, this is still stuff, but this is done to help other people because we know what we've been through, and we're certain other people have been through things, too."

The transformed hallways seem to invite residents to come out and share those experiences with each other.

Residents say the Fergusons have helped create bonds that don't change with the seasons.