The Murray Development Center is bathed in color lights and displays for the Holiday Season as employees try and make the season a joyful one for residents even though they can’t receive visits from friends and guardians due to COVID-19.
Murray Center Parents Association President Rita Winkeler says they transformed the buildings into a Winter Wonderland.
“It was just wonderful, fantastic, way above and beyond what we ever expected. Last year, the Murray Parents had talked about having a Winter Wonderland and have the cottages decorate and see if we could have the community and families come in. Well obviously, with COVID that couldn’t happen. The staff still went ahead and decorated the entire inside. Santa and Ms. Clause were there,” said Winkeler. “It was just fantastic and the residents have been so excited.”
Winkeler says residents are able to go outside a few at a time, socially distanced, to see the displays.
Winkeler says Grape Cottage and the Community Building tied in the lighting competition. Berry Cottage took second place. All the other cottages and the training building received Honorable Mention.
Winkeler feels the event was a great morale booster for residents and staff. She hopes if next year is a more ‘normal’ year the community will be invited out to see the displays.
Winkeler says the residents have also been receiving gifts the last few days and on Christmas Eve. Several special meals and another visit from Santa is planned for Christmas Day to try and make the day special for the residents while they are separated from their families.
Here are some photos of the decorated cottages:
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