On Christmas Eve afternoon, from 1:30 p.m. to around 4 p.m., laughter, music, and warm holiday cheer filled the community room at The Eliot at Erie Station in downtown Middletown, New York, as members of the Minisink Valley Kindness Rotary Club hosted a special holiday celebration for residents.
The event featured Christmas carols, dancing, stuffed animals, clothing, small gifts, and lotus flowers bearing handwritten Chinese names on Kindness Rotary cards—simple gestures that brought visible joy to residents who might otherwise spend the holiday quietly.
“I think once a year, they really deserve something very exciting, very happy, especially during the Christmas Eve,” said Angela Lee, president of the Minisink Valley Kindness Rotary Club. “Everybody, they have no home to go. So we want to cheer them up.”
‘They are not alone anymore’
Lee explained that many residents at the assisted-living facility experience loneliness during the holidays, which motivated the club to organize the event.
“They love stuffed animals, right? Feel like they take something home with them,” Lee said. “They are not alone anymore. And also the good music, Christmas carols and everything cheer them up. That is very, very special.”
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The celebration was organized primarily by Josephine Bloomfield, a Rotary Club member, with support from fellow volunteers. Donations from the community made it possible for residents to choose stuffed animals and clothing items.
“People were so happy,” Lee said. “Some, they had tears. They were so happy that they got something very special.”
Spreading Christmas cheer through community service
Gerald Bloomfield, Josephine’s son, represented the Minisink Valley Kindness Rotary Club at the event and shared why the group chose to spend Christmas Eve at The Eliot.
“We thought it would just be a good idea and nice to come and visit people here who might not have people coming to visit them and spending the holidays with them,” Bloomfield said. “A lot of these people may be lonely, and we thought it might be a good idea to come and spread some Christmas cheer.”
Bloomfield said the most rewarding moment came from seeing the residents’ moods transform.
“When we got here, everyone seemed just a bit gloomy,” he said. “Now everyone’s singing Christmas carols and other songs. Just seeing them happy and cheerful—everyone’s in a more upbeat mood.”
Residents share their holiday experience
Residents also expressed appreciation for the event and the opportunity to connect with others.
Joan, a resident who has lived at The Eliot for 15 years, said the gathering meant a great deal to her.
“My mother and father passed away. I’m in the adult homes now because there’s nowhere to go,” she said. “My favorite part of today? The people. New people.”
She added that she would gladly attend similar events in the future.
“Yes, if I’m here next year, yes,” Joan said.
Another resident, Nicole, highlighted the lively atmosphere created by the volunteers.
“It’s very nice to be coming from the community to celebrate,” she said. “We had singing, they were giving away toys and stuffed animals and ornaments. We were dancing and singing to the music.”
Nicole said dancing was her favorite activity and praised the spirit of the host.
“The hostess was singing every song, dancing—she has a good spirit,” she said. “It feels good to have them here.”
A small gesture, a big impact
According to the organizers, residents were invited to sit together after lunch, choose a stuffed animal to keep, receive lotus flowers symbolizing compassion, and enjoy music and dancing throughout the afternoon.
For the Rotary Club, the impact was immediate and deeply personal.
“When I walk in and when they walk out, they were totally different,” Lee said. “Their faces—delighted. Some even gave me a big hug.”
Located at 12 John Street in Middletown, The Eliot at Erie Station is a licensed assisted-living community providing residential and personal care services for individuals with a wide range of health and support needs. Events like this Christmas Eve celebration underscore the importance of community connection, especially during the holidays.
Community members interested in supporting future events can connect with the Minisink Valley Kindness Rotary Club through its Facebook page or by reaching out directly to club leaders.
As Bloomfield put it simply, “I hope this event just makes them happy and enjoy the holidays.”
