Manor Hills Assisted Living superstar wants to also “cover” other Wellsville nursing facilities
By Mary Gardner-Ruch
Kelly Lewis Smith is a PCA at Manor Hills Assisted Living in Wellsville. She is one of Santa’s Helpers and is the one spearheading a fundraiser she calls Warm Hugs – Sweaters for Seniors.
Kelly got the idea after two of the residents that she cares for in the Dementia Unit at Manor Hills fell. Older people often have trouble keeping warm. They wrap up in blankets which can lead to a fall. That is precisely what happened and Kelly thought that having warm sweaters might help.
She is collecting gently worn or new women’s and men’s sweaters. Kelly hopes to have enough of them to give out at Manor Hills Assisted Living, Highland Park Rehab and Nursing Center, and the Wellsville Manor Care Center. All three of these long-term care facilities are located in Wellsville.
Drop-off sites are Mama’s Smoking BBQ, Beauty and the Boutique, Tannah’s Tanning Salon, Funland Skating Center, Grace United Church, the Whitesville Library, and the Community Bank located on Main Street in Wellsville.
Often, when people are placed in long-term care, they feel isolated from their communities. These facilities work hard to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. Some have even named their wings after Streets. They bring in entertainment from the outside and hold events to which family and friends are invited. This is one more way for these residents to feel loved and still cared for by the people living outside their walls.
The spirit of Santa is one that is giving, brings joy to others, and is caring and kind. Kelly Lewis Smith embodies all of these traits. This is an opportunity to donate those sweaters that don’t fit or that you don’t wear anymore. More than that, it is a warm hug sending a message that you are cared for and we want to keep you safe and warm.
