Adopt-a-resident programs are back this holiday season, helping to bring cheer to those that may not have family or friends to celebrate with during the merriest time of year.
Sammi Conway, activities director at Medilodge of Leelanau, said this year’s adopta- resident program looks a little bit different. There will still be a Christmas tree up at Hansen Foods in Suttons Bay for community members interested in signing up for the program, but they will get to take home more than a tag while keeping a little something representing their resident.
“A lot of our permanent residents look forward to this time every year. Not only does it provide them happiness, and again, the memory of having gifts under the Christmas tree, either as a family or as a child, but it also provides them greatly needed items that they do need,’” Conway said. “Many residents receive very minimal monetary monthly allowance, so for them to be able to get something that they want that they may not be able to afford throughout the year — it brightens up their day, it improves their quality of life, it’s just a wonderful program all around. They are very, very grateful and it makes them very happy.”
The facility bought clear ornaments for the residents to paint and decorate, placing their wishlists inside it. This way, those interested in supporting a resident through the program will be able to take home a handmade ornament and have a momentum of their person. Once gifts from a wishlist are purchased, the person can bring in the wrapped presents to Hansen’s for Mediloge staff to come and pick it up before Christmas.
“The wrapped presents make it more special for the residents as well, they get to unwrap their presents, and it makes it more exciting to receive those Christmas gifts, and it’s more of a surprise,” Conway said. “It brings back those childhood memories of unwrapping gifts with their families or with their children. It’s a multipurpose activity where it triggers the memory and sensory of touching the wrapping paper… It does make their day and it truly does make their Christmas 100% better.”
Conway said a lot of the residents like receiving gift cards from Hansen’s because on Tuesdays, the activities department will go around and get their Hansen’s lists. For residents who don’t have the means to purchase items from the store, a gift card to Hansen’s is a very special gift for them. Other items residents have requested this year include patchouli body oil, facial clippers, a twin size fuzzy blanket, warm gripper socks, comfy pajamas, and of course, snacks of all kinds. People are also welcomed to drop off donated items that may not be from a resident wish list, but are asked to disclose what’s inside if the present is wrapped so that staff can properly distribute it.
Fortunately, a lot of the staff has already adopted residents at the 72-bed facility, so the remainder of residents needing adoption are listed on the ornaments at Hansen’s.
Maple Valley Nursing Home is also doing their adopt-a-resident program once again this year. Activity Director Serena Kasben, who has been running the program for the last five years now, said some of the wishlist items this year include special body washes and lotions, bird seed, seasonal and yearround knick knack decorations for inside and outside their rooms, as well as specialty candies. Wrapped or packaged gifts can be dropped off at the nursing home by Dec. 23 to ensure that staff have enough time to get more presents in case any residents are missed.
The gifts are put out on Christmas Eve, Kasben said, so residents are seeing their presents for the first time on Christmas day. She said every holiday, residents are overwhelmed and so grateful for the community that helps to make their days better. There are quite a few residents right now that don’t have family members or friends to be there for them during the holidays, but the Maple Valley staff will fill in when a resident doesn’t get adopted.
“With doing this program, it’s really helped us make sure that everyone has something,” Kasben said. “It’s truly been a blessing to see it happen every year, and it happens so fast when they all get adopted… even my own family members from downstate, they take it upon themselves and get something for everyone as well. I feel truly blessed with our community…” To inquire about which residents still need to be adopted at Maple Valley, people can contact Kasben at serena@mvnh. org or call her at 231-228-5895. More information about the Medilodge of Leelanau adopt-aresident program can be found at Hansen Foods or by calling the facility at 231-271-1200.
