On Friday, Dec. 18, Santa’s helpers arrived a little early for the skilled nursing residents of Chelsea Retirement Community, located on the historic campus of United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC).
UMRC Foundation Board member Chad Losey of Chelsea, his partner Jeff Hall, and Steve and Stephanie Larson, all of Chelsea, brought Christmas gifts to all 45 residents of UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (Kresge Center).
“Actually, our good friend and lake neighbor, Stephanie Larson and her husband Steve, were responsible for making this Christmas Miracle happen,” said Losey in a press release.
“Stephanie reached out to me in November asking if there were any residents at UMRC that may not have family nearby or that could use some extra love. Wendy Brightman, president of the UMRC Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation, suggested that the Kresge Center residents could use some Christmas cheer. So Stephanie reached out to our Cavanaugh Lake community to enlist their help in making this dream come true.”
More than 30 Cavanaugh Lake households pitched in to help by donating money, shopping for residents based on their wish lists and checking them twice, wrapping, and organizing the gifts, according to Losey.
“We wanted to bring a bit of light into these special people’s lives, with a bit of holiday joy, and provide them each a few holiday gifts,” said Larson.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for our Kresge Center residents who require 24-hour skilled nursing care,” said Brightman, president of the UMRC Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation.
“Because of COVID, our residents have not been able to see their loved ones in person which has been especially isolating for our most vulnerable older adults. We are so grateful to Steve and Stephanie, Chad and Jeff and their friends for making this an unforgettable Christmas for our Kresge Center residents,”she said.
“We live in such a special community,” said Losey. “It is so important that we continue to support our neighbors, especially in these difficult times.”
Really nice. Thank you Stephanie and Steve Larson and all who contributed. Having had an elderly family member in an assisted living facility who died 2 months ago (not of Covid), has made me more aware of the sad isolation of people in this situation. The residents in our nursing homes have really had a hard time during the pandemic. Anything we can do to help them feel connected to others, and especially their families, would be good.