EBALDC’s Lion Creek Crossings Seniors Break Bread Together at End of Year Holiday Celebration
“I just love living here… the people here are just so nice,” said Miss Deborah, a resident at LCC’s Senior Building, waiting in line for a holiday meal. Dressed for the cold in an orange sweatshirt, black pants, and fuzzy slippers, she explained: “I was homeless before, and I was so happy to find this place. I couldn’t have asked for anything better….I am so thankful I got in here. It feels like a home here.”
“When I first moved here [6 ½ months ago], I didn’t have any food. A neighbor who lived near me helped me out – they must have noticed that I didn’t have anything to eat, and I was hungry. They gave me some of their food. Then later my aunt came and brought me food, so everything worked out. But I really appreciated when they first gave me that food.”
“And the staff here – especially Eunice and Mei – I love them. They always going above and beyond…. Living here, it feels like a community of family. Even if you don’t think it, folks look out for each other here.”
Miss Deborah was one of approximately 50 residents who recently gathered in the brightly lit Community Room of Lion Creek Crossings’ senior building to celebrate the holidays. Festive cut red paper and gold tinsel garlands, as well as paper snowflakes hung on the walls.
A smattering of English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Toisanese could be heard as residents filed in and greeted each other. Attendees enjoyed a special meal of glossy brown dinner rolls, savory mac and cheese, greens, and roast chicken.
Pictured: Mei Sze Phung (staff), Sister Vivienne (resident), Miss Beverly (resident and party planner)
The event’s festivities also included an ugly sweater contest and carol-singing. Residents Sister Vivienne led a rousing rendition of “Silent Night,” and Tutankhamen Ikemba crooned his way through “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” and a Johnny Mathis tune, “Welcome Home.”
A contestant in the popular ugly sweater contest
Pics from the holiday “photo booth,” taken by Resident Services Coordinator Griselda Hernandez
Residents Miss Beverly and Miss Shirley were the principal planners for the party, while Resident Services staff were as busy as little elves working the event—helping with crowd control, taking photos of attendees, emceeing the event, setting up the room, and serving the food.
Pictured: Mei Sze Phung (staff) and Miss Beverly (resident)
The afternoon event culminated sweetly—with cake–in the quarterly celebration of residents with a birthday between October and December, as well as distribution of hats and scarves donated to the residents.
