Tue, 11/24/2020 - 1:15pm

Carole Zalucky

Linda Clapp and Laura Honey (right,) hold examples of the lovely stockings prepared for the residents of the Village with the colorfully stocked Thrift Shop in the background. Courtesy of the St Andrews Auxiliary

Carefully crafted stockings show beautiful detail on this collection sewn by auxiliary members Lorrie Richardson, Ann Hedgcock and Laura Zajdel. Courtesy of the St Andrews Auxiliary

As we move through a quiet Thanksgiving holiday, the coronavirus has not stopped the enthusiasm of St Andrews Auxiliary volunteers gearing up for a merry, albeit, reimagined Christmas season.

Auxiliary elves have been working steadily to inject joy into the season by creating one of a kind, beautiful Christmas stockings for the residents of the Gregory Wing. The stockings, hung with care, will add holiday cheer not only for the recipients but also the staff as they move through their day amidst these colorful reminders of this special time of year.

The stockings, delivered to Activities Director Jerie Phinney on Nov. 18, each contain personalized cards and ornaments and have lots of space inside for little gifts or special sentiments to be added over the holiday season as they adorn the doors of residents’ rooms.

All of the materials used to create these charming symbols of Christmas were donated and a team of volunteers, including many auxiliary members unable to return to their winter homes, eagerly embraced this and other auxiliary projects to help keep the coming holiday merry and bright for those confined to long term care.

As has become the tradition over the past several years, the Auxiliary also donated $600 for the purchase of gifts for the residents of the Gregory Wing – gifts that will be distributed as Dec. 25 draws near.

The Auxiliary wishes to express its gratitude to the pastorate and congregation of East Boothbay Methodist Church for providing socially distanced work and meeting space during this time when guests, visitors and volunteers, out of concern for our most vulnerable community, cannot, for now, meet at St Andrews Village.