Maplewood resident Elisabeth Murphy helps to prepare pies for the bazaar.
Bazaar helps deliver Christmas cheer to residents
Tuesday November 27, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
With three Christmas trees, about $900 in the bank for gifts and a lineup of entertainment for December, Maplewood is aiming to bring cheer to residents this holiday season.

The halls are decked and the Brighton long-term care home recently held its annual bazaar featuring crafts and baked goods. The event on Nov. 17 drew about 50 people to the long-term care home, both families and members of the general community.

For the past few months, residents have been busy baking goodies and pies to sell at the bazaar. Family members donated crafts as well. The $920 raised entirely supports the residents’ holiday festivities fund and ensures they have something meaningful to open Christmas morning, says Chris Charlebois, life enrichment co-ordinator at Maplewood.

“We personalize the gifts as much as we can,” she says.

The home’s 49 residents receive stockings and gifts ranging from diabetic chocolates to a new pair of pajamas, depending on what each individual desires or needs. Charlebois is working on comprising a list and will head out Christmas shopping in December.

Employed in life enrichment for several years, Charlebois has made an effort annually, whether at Maplewood or previously at Pleasant Meadow Manor in Norwood, to ensure residents have something special to open Christmas morning.

Maplewood residents also are also treated well by members of the local Legion and 8 Wing/CFB Trenton who throw an annual Christmas party for them. Each year, they bring into the long-term care home food, spirits, entertainment and gifts for residents. This year’s affair is Dec. 13.

Charlebois is busy booking entertainment for December, with six entertainers lined up so far. Maplewood is fortunate, she notes, to have the OMNI van for two weeks next month so she plans on taking residents out for lunch and on Christmas light tours as well.

The festive season is also an appropriate time to give thanks to staff as well and Maplewood is holding an appreciation and open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 14 complete with hors d’oeuvres and gifts for employees, Charlebois notes.

Maplewood will also recognize it’s 25 to 30 volunteers with an appreciation tea Dec. 18.