Providence Place is once again inviting the public to visit with its residents on Christmas Eve for its seventh annual The Gift of Presence program.
The program was started in 2013 when only about 50 residents in the building were able to receive a visit.
“But it’s grown so much we guarantee everybody will receive a visit that day,” said Cheryl Thul, Providence Place spiritual care and volunteer program lead.
Thul added that they are expecting between 60 to 100 visitors to take part in the program from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve at the care home.
Those residents who do not receive a visit in the morning will be visited by the spiritual care department and community council pastors in the afternoon.
“It’s amazing how much Moose Jaw pulls through with anything. We are a generous community,” Thul said.
Providence Place will supply Christmas cards for all of the residents that visitors pick up when they sign in. The visitors can sign the cards and give them out to the residents they visit. The residents’ name, unit and room number will be written on the card and staff will be available to give directions if needed.
Along with visiting, there will be Christmas carol singing as well as Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.
Visitors can bring the residents a small gift such as flowers, a book or small Christmas decoration. However, the gift of being present is the goal of the program.
“We have families that come with children and grandchildren and the gift of music. It’s not about a gift of an article or a thing. It’s the gift of your presence to visit,” Thul said.
For more information, contact Providence Place’s spiritual care department or email cheryl.thul@saskhealthauthority.ca
