Streamway Villa resident Ted Kelly shops the aisles of a department store in Cobourg.

Streamway residents go on shopping spree
Friday, December 9, 2005 -- Natalie Miller
‘Tis the season to go shopping and Streamway Villa residents hit their local mall recently to buy gifts for loved ones.

The annual festive shopping trip for residents of two Cobourg nursing homes, sponsored by the Cobourg Kiwanis Club, was held Dec. 5 at the Cobourg mall. Eight residents from Streamway boarded a bus with a group from Extendicare Cobourg.

“It’s an opportunity to get out during the Christmas season to see the decorations and listen to the music,” says Denise Ansell, life enrichment co-ordinator at Streamway Villa.

“A lot of them don’t (have a chance to shop) because of transportation issues and they are in wheelchairs.”

Purchases included Christmas wrap and cards and gifts for family members and refreshments followed with coffee and tea courtesy of the Kiwanis Club served in the Zellers restaurant.

“They had a really good time,” says Denise.

The Kiwanis Club has sponsored the outing for about 10 years, says Denise. On the way home, the bus driver stopped at Victoria Park in Cobourg, which is well-known for its Christmas lights display. Overall, the outing allows residents to participate in the joys of the season.