There were smiles all around Saturday afternoon as residents of Winona Manor, along with fami-ly members and friends, enjoyed the annual Christmas party.
Like all good Christmas parties, there were carols, food, and gifts, provided by the Winona area community. It’s one day out of the year that no one worries too much about what they eat, and everyone can have cake.
The annual party has gone on since the early 1980s, with hundreds of volunteers helping out. People volunteer to bake cakes or go shopping for a patient gift, bought with donations from lo-cal churches, businesses and individuals. This year there were 51 homemade cakes, along with money donated for each resident to get a gift worth around $40.
Many volunteer greeters handed out food and presents, and just generally helped out however they were needed.
The staff at the nursing home helped out as well, bringing patients to the dining room, and assisting in various ways. For those who couldn’t come, Santa, aka Tee Golden, made a special visit to share some Christmas cheer.
Dorothy Phillips, activities assistant, said the party “gets bigger and bigger every year. There is so much support. It’s one of the residents’ favorite times.”
Evelyn McCuiston, of Duck Hill, was visiting her uncle Nathan Small, and said that both he and she enjoy the party very much. “He likes Christmas. I’ve been all the times. I love to see the smiles on the patients’ faces.”
Mary Smith, who works for North Central Planning and Development District as an Ombudsman for patients, said this was her first time to attend the Christmas party. “I’m very excited,” she said.
Gladiola Stewart of Kilmichael said she had attended the party for the first time last year, and had looked forward to this one. She brought her granddaughter, Takyla Townsend, 13, with her to visit Mrs. Stewart’s mother, Almeta Campbell.
Andrea Collins, who had been a driving force in carrying on the party for the past 27 years, re-ceived an award for her service.
After several hours, volunteers left, and residents went back to their regular activities, but all knew they were appreciated, whether or not they had family or friends.
The committee putting on the party will see if anything needs tweaking for next year’s big event. More than likely there will be some small adjustment, but it will be hard to top the 2017 Winona Manor Christmas party, which was definitely a success, as attested by residents’ smiles.
