Princeton Chamber spreads holiday cheer for senior residents

PRINCETON — Last month, representatives of the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce set aside a couple days to spread safe holiday cheer for local senior residents.

Princeton Chamber Board President Mike Smith dressed as Santa and Patricia Grant and Joanne Sheldon, chamber ambassadors, dressed as elves, and visited residents at Liberty Village, Country Comfort Retirement Home, Greenfield Retirement Home and Aperion Care through the windows to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Rachel Denton, president of the Chamber Ambassador Club, and Jenica Cole, executive director of the Chamber, also joined in on the fun.

The crew played music outside of the residents’ windows, sang and danced to Christmas carols and left pre-made goody bags for each resident.

“Since coming into this role, I have been trying to find ways to give back to our community, and especially give back to those chamber members that are sometimes harder to give back to. We had such fun visiting our senior residents, and the light that it brought to their eyes made our holiday season so special,” Cole said.

“I think in return our hearts were just as full as theirs by the end of our visits. I grew up with great-grandparents and extended family in nursing home facilities, and now as an adult, I cannot imagine what these families have went through this last year with the restrictions COVID has caused on being able to see loved ones. It truly breaks my heart.”

Cole said her role with the chamber is all about giving back to the community, supporting chamber members, showing value in having a partnership with them and creating great pride in what it means to be part of the Princeton area.

“I would like to thank each facility for allowing us to come and working with me to organize. We appreciate your time and efforts and thank you for all that you do in your roles. I would also like to give a huge thanks to my board president, Mike Smith, ambassador club members Patricia Grant, Joanne Sheldon and Rachel Denton. Your time and talents were so much appreciated,” she said.