By Kay Whatley, Editor
Organizers in Zebulon, North Carolina, are making sure that assisted-living residents and seniors receive a bit of holiday cheer. On Saturday, December 3, 2016, volunteers will converge on Zebulon House with gift bags for all.
Inspired by their friend Jerry, Susan Aceti and her mother worked with local businesses to prepare a Valentine’s weekend event. Each resident received a beautiful carry-all bag filled with candies and toiletries. Area businesses donated goodies and helped cover event costs. That February event brought smiles to residents’ faces, and spurred Susan and her mother, Pat Kendrick, to schedule a December event — coming up this weekend — where new bags of donated goodies will be presented to residents just in time for the holidays.
Says Ms. Aceti, “They gave all for us, we need to let them know we remember and give our time to them.”
In preparation for this Christmas “stockings” giveaway, Susan and Pat purchased a Christmas tree and decorations were anonymously donated. The tree was delivered and set up in November.
Tina Baines, Life Enrichment Coordinator for Zebulon House, works with the group to arrange for their residents to participate. They will gather Saturday at 10:30am, some on their own steam and some with nursing assistance, for an informal gift-receiving ceremony. Zipper bags full of gifts will be handed out. Susan will be serving cookies purchased from Brown Bag Bagels.
The business donors and volunteers who have made this giving possible include:
- Susan Aceti (organizer & donor)
- Barnes Collision Repair Center (Zebulon)
- Jennifer Brantley
- Brown Bag Bagels (Wendell)
- Hedy Creech
- Amy Grambill
- The Grey Area™ News (Zebulon)
- Pat Kendrick (organizer & volunteer)
- Melissa Klein
- Kandace Koch
- Mary Lewis
- Olde Heritage Builders (Zebulon)
- Richie Pegram
- Ray Family Farms (Louisburg)
- Darlene Richardson
- Simple Soap and Balm (Zebulon)
- Portia Walls
- Wendell General Store (Wendell)
- An anonymous donor
According to Susan, “[our sponsors] make this possible. They truly give life to our community spirit.”
Zebulon House is located at 551 Pony Road, in Zebulon NC. More information about the facility is at www.meridiansenior.com/community/zebulonhouse. Volunteers are invited to spend time with residents, some of whom have few visitors. To find out more about volunteering at Zebulon House, contact Tina Baines at 919.269.6061.
For businesses and volunteers interested in helping Saturday or in the future, contact Susan Aceti at 919.426.3779. She may also receive messages via her business site, www.mythirtyone.com/susanaceti.
