Staff Delivers Personalized Holiday Gifts to Residents they care for all year long
Staff at Island Nursing and Rehab Center in Holtsville, a member of the Gurwin Healthcare System, hosted a Christmas Eve “Dress Like an Elf” Party here today, bringing holiday cheer to residents of the 120-bed facility who may be away from their families for Christmas.
Staff members donned pointy ears and holiday themed hats and sweaters to hand out gifts they personally selected for residents based on their personality and needs as part of the center’s annual “Giving Tree” tradition. A member of the center’s engineering staff dressed as Santa pushed a cart decorated like Santa’s Sleigh while another employee played piano tunes to set the festive mood.
“The residents are second family and we’re here with them even more than we’re home with our own families,” said Alexis Browning, Director of Therapeutic Recreation, Island Rehabilitation. “We want to make them feel like they’re home for the holidays too.”
The residents that weren’t able to gather for the event had their presents delivered to them in their rooms.
“It makes me very happy,” said Bill McCarthy, 77, a resident at Island Rehabilitation. “I’m usually alone around the holidays. So this is my family. I feel good with them. They’re always there for me.”
