CLC Winter Wonderland
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many obstacles, impacting our quality of life, while drawing out our most creative and passionate sides.
After years of safety precautions, limiting off-campus outings and neighborhood activities wishes to relieve the monotony weigh heavily on the hearts of our Veterans, their families, the community, and the VA employees that serve them. During the holiday season, CLC Veterans reminisce about the trips they took in years past viewing holiday lights and enjoying treats and comradery…all memories.
Our first “Winter Wonderland” at VA Finger Lakes HCS was a brainstorming idea in 2021 by The Center for Development & Civic Engagement, Canandaigua Office. Soon this idea became a vision shared with an enthusiastic Recreation Therapy Department and Executive Leadership Team. Fast forward to 2022 and we have a much-anticipated VA Finger Lakes HCS annual tradition at both the Canandaigua and Bath VA Medical Centers during the holidays.
Setting the Festive Scene:
On a mid-December evening in 2021, Veterans residing in our Canandaigua CLCs were escorted by employees through their very own “Winter Wonderland,” stretching through the courtyard, garden, and indoor pavilion. Donned in donated hats and gloves, Veterans rolled down a lit, festive path to enjoy holiday splendor. After a visit in the gazebo with Santa (Recreation Therapy Supervisor, Hank Riegel), Mrs. Claus, and live reindeer, “Moose” & “Little Buddy," Veterans continued through the garden path where they were greeted by the VA Fire Department aside their lit truck. Continuing into the pavilion, Veterans then enjoyed a hot drink with their choice of fancy toppings. Veterans listened to classic holiday tunes, played trivia with Pat Webb, Associate Chief Nurse Geriatrics and Extended Care, and casted their vote on their favorite CLC-built gingerbread house on display.
This year, 2022, shared the same excitement of a festively lit path, adorned on either side with holiday inflatables, but with even more lights, and lawn decorations of woodland animals, trees, and lampposts, selected by our Advanced Illness Care Coordinator. Holiday classics played throughout the courtyard at the Bath & Canandaigua campuses as each Veteran “oohed and ahhhed” at their favorite sight, many asking for photos to share with their loved ones. In Canandaigua, each Veteran was greeted by Santa in the gazebo, found out if they were on the naughty or nice list, and posed for a photo. Inside the pavilion were Santa hats for the taking, a festive Old-Fashioned Hot Cocoa Bar scene, and candy canes. In the background, the classic Rudolph film silently played while a cracking yule log fireplace glowed on a neighboring screen. Each Veteran was then able to choose a Santa or Snowman plush to “adopt” and take home. Staff commented how special it was to have 1:1 time with Veterans who, in warm conversation, exchanged their longtime special holiday traditions with one another. Spirits were bright as each Veteran nestled into their beds. At night’s end, the courtyard grew quiet still lit with the magical brilliance that only a Winter Wonderland could bring.
Employee Engagement reached all-time highs as staff rallied together to fulfill all the needed moving parts of this program. Department support included: The Center for Development & Civic Engagement, Recreation Therapy, the Geriatric & Extended Care Staff, Advanced Illness Care Coordinator, multiple shops within Engineering, Canteen, Bruce Reed, VA Fire Department, and Executive Leadership. Becasue of the presence of Covid-19 on campus, one CLC was unable to participate physically in the festivities. Thanks to the efforts of VA Finger Lakes’ Advanced Illness Care Coordinator, Carol Thompson, IT Department & CDCE, a 10-minute video was created with live footage and still shots of the last 2 Winter Wonderlands by CDCE Office Volunteer, Gabe Cinquegrana, which was then burned onto discs for each CLC to enjoy.
The CDCE strives to build and nourish Community Partnerships. Lowe’s Canandaigua Store Manager, Adam Karlsen, donated $1500 in outdoor blow-ups, 1300+ feet of lighting, and an indoor pre-lit tree. Additional decor was provided by community members, Barb Berry of Hornell, Victor Home Depot, Honeoye Area Girl Scouts, and from multiple donors to our Recreation Therapy, Holiday, and Hospice accounts. Indoor set-up this year was done by CDCE, two youth Volunteers from the Honeoye Area Girl Scouts, and Volunteer Members of the Canandaigua DAR and Farmington AMVETS. Noticing the need for a new American flag for the courtyard, the Canandaigua American Legion donated two, and Tractor Supply, Canandaigua Store, donated hats and gloves.
CDCE came up with another “deer” brainstorming idea in 2021 and contacted Michael Schaertl, owner of Shortsville Reindeer, LLC, who agreed to bring special guests, our newest Community Partners, for a visit. They look forward to coming back in the new year.
Ed & Beth Jones, owners of Black Owl Consulting in Rome NY, donated $1800 in gift cards for our hot chocolate bar in 2021 and our snowmen & Santa plush friends in 2022. Giving back to honor the memory of Beth’s brother, Royal Smith, who resided previously on CLC 8A, Beth teared up when CDCE asked if this was an event they wanted to support.
In 2021, The Sons of the American Legion 457 took Recreation’s shopping list and made the dream hot cocoa bar a reality. Rounding up the creative set-up, Gina Deck, CDCE Program Specialist, donated a locally made “Old-Fashioned, All-American” hot cocoa sign. All bar condiments in 2022 were donated by the New York West Central District Elk's Assoc. via local VAVS Representative & Red Coat Ambassador Volunteer, Mike Morrisey.
We also thank the Elks for our new lit Moose with total donations reaching $800.00 from their organization. To date, $4000 in material and monetary donations have been given towards Winter Wonderland efforts. VA Finger Lakes is grateful for the ongoing generosity of our Veteran Service Organizations and Community Partners year after year.
Feedback on the event has been overwhelming and wonderful for the 101 residents that were impacted by the Winter Wonderland. One Veteran was able to FaceTime with his wife while being escorted down the path and they were elated to share these happy moments. “Tonight is just what I needed,” remarked one Veteran on CLC 7B. “Thank you to the many hands that made this happen.” Another, Army Veteran, Rex Hackett, was all smiles when he shared with CLC staff following the event, “This feels like Christmas. This has been the best thing. It really lifted my spirits.” Like Rex, this event unified and lifted up an entire community, instilling hope into the new year!