BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – It seems like Santa traded in his sleigh for a school bus, and instead of toys for good girls and boys, a sweet surprise for a group of senior citizens at an assisted living center.
Bus drivers and driver’s aides from the Berkeley County School District Transportation Office organized a group appropriately called the “Christmas Cheer Squad.” The game plan was to collect cards, gifts, and treats and spread some holiday cheer to the elderly residents at Pruitt Health in Moncks Corner, and, boy, did they!
“We have small tokens of appreciation and love that we want to give to everybody,” said organizer Cheryl Grooms.
Grooms read this article from “The Berkeley Observer” asking for people to donate Christmas cards to the residents, and she felt inspired to get involved.
She said word of the card collection spread among her co-workers, and the outpouring of donations extended to gifts, toiletries, and treats for the residents and patients who needed a dose of the Christmas spirit.
“Before we knew it everyone was on board from administration down to the students. Everyone wanted to participate,” Grooms said.
“I said let’s do it!” Balloon artist and bus driver “Ms. Jingles” said. “I love to help where I can. No one should be without Christmas cheer and celebrating Jesus’ birth.”
There are 119 elderly patients living at the facility. Some are long-term, while others are patients doing rehabilitation and will return home, says the Admissions/Marketing Director Jennifer Shirkman.
“We noticed that a lot of our residents do not have family. They do not have visitors. They don’t get gifts. Of course, we have our Angel Tree where staff members provide gifts for them, but we wanted the community to step up. These are the seniors of our community. They can tell us the good stories. We asked for simple cards, but it has been an outpouring of all kinds of gifts for them,” said Shirkman.
Residents have access to a 24-hour nursing staff, multiple types of therapy, pain and wound management, and more. And if the holidays were a struggle for some patients, the Christmas Cheer Squad and their two bus loads of gifts surely boosted morale and brought smiles to many faces.
“They are so excited when they see someone come in that’s dressed up and walking around singing Christmas carols,” said Shirkman.
It was a heartwarming visit for the ladies who came to sing and give gifts, and deliver Christmas cheer.
“Go Team Berkeley!” said Grooms.
Shirkman says following the online story requesting cards, gifts were sent as far away as Ohio, Maryland, and California. Pruitt Health operates 96 facilities across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
SEE ALSO:
- Moncks Corner Nursing Facility Asking For Christmas Cards To Give To Elderly Patients
- Florida Nonprofit Responds to Nursing Facility’s Request for Holiday Cards
