SENNETT - On any other day, Jessie Penird is the activities director of the Cayuga County Nursing Home and Melvin Myers a part-time resident.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Mary Mizro, a licensed practical nurse at Cayuga County Nursing Home, shows Betty Gage the outfit that her “secret Santa,” which Mary admitted was her, got her on Christmas day. Each staff member was Santa for as many as five residents.
Mary Mizro, a licensed practical nurse at Cayuga County Nursing Home, shows Betty Gage the outfit that her “secret Santa,” which Mary admitted was her, got her on Christmas day. Each staff member was Santa for as many as five residents.
But on Thursday, Myers doubled as the jolly man dressed in red bestowing gifts and holiday cheer, with Penird as his helping hand.
Pushing a metal dolly encased in a swath of red and glistening gold around the corridors, Santa and his merry helper hand-delivered gifts purchased by nursing home staff to every resident Christmas morning.
“You know that you're going to get a lot of smiles and joy from the residents,” Penird said. “It's another way we can bring joy to them.”
While some people spend Christmas with family and friends away from the workplace, county nursing home staff don't have that option. They make the best of it, infusing the Christmas spirit into the hallways, rooms and hearts of residents.
It's exciting for the residents,“ Certified Nursing Assistant Ilga Baez said. ”So that makes us feel good when they have a gleam on their faces.“
CNA Heather Walter said there is a bond the staff shares with the residents that is even more special on a holiday like Christmas.
“We've been here so long the residents are our families,” she said. “They are all our adopted grandparents.”
Added CNA Tonya Lane, “This is our home away from home.”
Most businesses are closed Christmas Day with people ripping open wrapped gifts and stuffing faces with warm and delicious meals.
Annie Robinson and Layla Rozelle celebrated Christmas with their families last night, and spent Thursday behind the check-out counter of the Auburn Blockbusters, manning the store for any and all people that needed a last-minute gift, wanted to use gift cards given as gifts or sought some evening entertainment.
Robinson, the store manager, said she gives the store's shift managers the option of which holiday to work. She said she prefers taking Thanksgiving off and has no qualms picking up Christmas Day instead.
“I don't mind,” she said. “There are no kids in my family, so it's not like it's a big deal. We did Christmas in my family yesterday.”
For Rozelle, working the Christmas shift fits nicely with the spirit of the holiday: giving others a bright and festive day.
Robinson and Rozelle said Christmas is usually a quiet day in the store, and there's time to strike up conversation with customers and have some fun.
“Everyone is in a good mood,” Robinson said.
Pushing a metal dolly encased in a swath of red and glistening gold around the corridors, Santa and his merry helper hand-delivered gifts purchased by nursing home staff to every resident Christmas morning.
“You know that you're going to get a lot of smiles and joy from the residents,” Penird said. “It's another way we can bring joy to them.”
While some people spend Christmas with family and friends away from the workplace, county nursing home staff don't have that option. They make the best of it, infusing the Christmas spirit into the hallways, rooms and hearts of residents.
It's exciting for the residents,“ Certified Nursing Assistant Ilga Baez said. ”So that makes us feel good when they have a gleam on their faces.“
CNA Heather Walter said there is a bond the staff shares with the residents that is even more special on a holiday like Christmas.
“We've been here so long the residents are our families,” she said. “They are all our adopted grandparents.”
Added CNA Tonya Lane, “This is our home away from home.”
Most businesses are closed Christmas Day with people ripping open wrapped gifts and stuffing faces with warm and delicious meals.
Annie Robinson and Layla Rozelle celebrated Christmas with their families last night, and spent Thursday behind the check-out counter of the Auburn Blockbusters, manning the store for any and all people that needed a last-minute gift, wanted to use gift cards given as gifts or sought some evening entertainment.
Robinson, the store manager, said she gives the store's shift managers the option of which holiday to work. She said she prefers taking Thanksgiving off and has no qualms picking up Christmas Day instead.
“I don't mind,” she said. “There are no kids in my family, so it's not like it's a big deal. We did Christmas in my family yesterday.”
For Rozelle, working the Christmas shift fits nicely with the spirit of the holiday: giving others a bright and festive day.
Robinson and Rozelle said Christmas is usually a quiet day in the store, and there's time to strike up conversation with customers and have some fun.
“Everyone is in a good mood,” Robinson said.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.