BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—Senior citizens at one assisted living facility in Berkeley County will definitely feel the love – from both near and far – in the coming weeks. On Wednesday, The Berkeley Observer published a story on how PruittHealth is asking the community to send heartwarming holiday cards and letters to residents at their assisted-living facility.
The story has apparently resonated with readers nationwide, having been viewed more than 12,000 times and shared on social media more than 13,000 times so far.
“We’ll definitely send some cards for them!” Karen Snider Brown, one Berkeley County reader said via social media.
“I’m from Goose Creek but in Virginia now and will gladly send some holiday cards,” Lynne Pridgen said.
‘Bring Smiles to Seniors,’ a nonprofit based in Florida, also came across the story and is now joining the cause to spread a little holiday cheer to seniors at the Berkeley County assisted-living facility.
“We wanted to let you know that we will be sending holiday cards to Moncks Corner the week after Thanksgiving for all the residents in their community,” Ron Tyson, founder/CEO of ‘Bring Smiles to Seniors’ told The Berkeley Observer. “A friend from high school forwarded your article to me and asked if we could help.”
Tyson started his nonprofit several years ago in honor of his grandmother Lola Mae, who suffered from dementia. She stayed in a nursing home until she passed away in Okeechobee, Florida in August of 2016.
According to Tyson, when he would visit her, he noticed that many elderly residents did not have any visitors. Also, many did not receive gifts or cards from anyone, he said. As a result, he decided that he wanted to make a difference in the lives of seniors. He founded ‘Bring Smiles to Seniors’ in March 2016.
To date, his organization provides cards to senior communities in all 50 states. His nonprofit is on track to deliver over 60,000 cards just this year. According to Tyson, ‘Bring Smiles to Seniors’ will be sending more than 130 cards to PruittHealth assisted-living facility residents in Moncks Corner just in time for the holidays.
“We sent enough for each resident to receive one and a few extra just in case,” Tyson said.
PruittHealth staff says they are ecstatic that so many people are coming together to brighten their residents’ day–especially when many of them won’t have visitors or are able to be home for the holidays.
“Our residents will be overjoyed to receive love on the holidays!” Jennifer Ward Shirkman, an employee for PruittHealth said.
Loneliness affects millions of older adults across the United States, according to this recent study, which shows that chronic loneliness can impact older adults’ memory, physical well-being, mental health, and even life expectancy. Additionally, some research suggests that chronic loneliness may shorten life expectancy and is just as dangerous to one’s health as smoking is.
“Together, we can ensure no older adult in Berkeley County feels forgotten this holiday season and with a simple act of kindness, we can do our part to improve the health and well-being of older adults in the community,” PruittHealth officials wrote in a news release. “As a family-owned organization celebrating 50 years of service, it is the goal of PruittHealth to collect as many holiday cards and letters to make patients’ days a little merrier and brighter.”
If you would like to send a holiday greeting card to many of the residents who call PruittHealth home, you can send them to: 505 S. Live Oak Dr, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Your cards and letters will then be distributed to assisted-living residents with the hopes of brightening their day during the holiday season.
SEE ALSO:
- Moncks Corner To Host Downtown Christmas Festival Dec. 6 - December 1, 2024
- St. Stephen Library To Host Winter Crafts Dec. 12 - November 25, 2024
- ‘Light The Way For Hope’ Ceremony To Remember Those Lost To Overdose - August 22, 2024
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