'I’ve never seen anything like this,' Charlebois says of Christmas bash
Wednesday, December 20, 2006 -- Craig Anderson
An annual Christmas celebration hosted jointly by the Royal Canadian Legion and officers from CFB Trenton and held at Maplewood is a highlight of the season, says Chris Charlebois, life enrichment coordinator.

“It’s the party the residents most look forward to going to,” says Charlebois. “It doesn’t matter what else is going on.”

The party, a tradition since 1973, was held this year on Friday, December 15th. It was attended by all but three of the home’s 49 residents, says Charlebois. Officers and members of the Legion entertain, provide dinner, drinks and, most importantly, a gift for each resident.

Charlebois, who is spending her first Christmas at Maplewood after coming over from Pleasant Meadow at the end of July, was surprised by the level of commitment from the community in making the dinner a success.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she says.

The best part of the party, she adds, was not the revelry, which included dancing and singing. It was the fact that each resident received a gift.

What was special, she adds, was that the gifts were not simply token but were purchased with each individual resident in mind.

It helps that Pauline Prevost, a PSW at the home, also happens to be a member of the Legion. Prevost, the dedicated shopper for the party, was thus able to consider the tastes of each individual.

Gifts such as sweaters were common, says Charlebois.

George May, a former Legion “flag man” who was instrumental in restoring the home’s flagpole and ensuring a continually flying flag, was presented at the party with a framed photo of himself saluting while seated in his wheelchair. (It also appeared on the cover of the November print edition of the OMNIway). He was so elated at the gift that he danced, with some assistance, later on during the event, says Charlebois.

“He was thrilled,” she says.

Even though the logistics of such a large party require some work on Charlebois’s behalf, the help she received from staff was extensive, leading her to look forward to next year’s version.

“It’s a really nice way to celebrate the holidays,” she says, while pointing to other events like tours of lighted homes and special shopping trips. “They’ve been holding the party before the place was even called Maplewood!”

Although slightly daunted by the increased workload and chaos associated with Christmas time, smiling residents are a more than adequate compensation, she says.

“It’s worth it when the residents have a nice Christmas,” she says.