LAC LA BICHE - Seniors at LacAlta Lodge, Points West Living, and W.J. Cadzow hospital’s extended care in Lac La Biche have been gifted home-made advent calendars by young community members involved with the Teen Chill Zone program.
The program, created by the community’s Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) aims to give teens in the region fun experiences and activities, and this time around the teens wanted to do something to give back.
At the beginning of December, in a Friday night Teen Chill Zone activity done virtually, teens made advent calendars to give to seniors who will not be able to spend Christmas with their loved ones this year.
Christine Martin, the community outreach worker for FCSS and one of the Teen Chill Zone organizers, said that the young creators were excited to make something that would leave a positive impact. When FCSS staff delivered the creations to the seniors last week, Martin said the recipients were pleased that young members of the community took the time to make them something during the holidays.
“They’re just so happy and touched to be remembered, and especially when they found out that teenagers did it, they were just so happy,” said Martin.
The calendars were put together by the teens, who received a substantial package of parts and pieces that included decorative ribbons, stickers and 24 tiny calendar prizes for residents to open. The teens put the calendars together during an online workshop. Martin said the creativity and personality of the teens could be seen in the unique creations.
There were 24 advent calendars made, so the each facility received eight of the creations. LacAlta Lodge did a draw to see who would get a calendar, and Points West Living gave two calendars to each of the four wings of their building, and every senior had a chance to enjoy a few treats during the month.
Photos of the seniors with their advent calendars were posted on the FCSS Facebook page and in www.lakelandtoday.ca, and Martin didn’t realize how meaningful those pictures would be to some Lac La Biche residents.
“Some people are seeing their mom, their aunt, or their uncle for the first time in who knows how long because of COVID. I am noticing comments like ‘I miss you so much mom, I wish we could see you this Christmas.’ So, I am glad they allowed us to post some of the pictures,” said Martin.
Teen Chill Zone just had their last get-together of the year this past Friday, giving young participants a virtual bingo night. Martin is expecting the first events of the new year to start around the end of January. At this point, the events are expected to remain as virtual ones.
