Williamsburg nursing home launches Christmas gift drive to benefit residents

WILLIAMSBURG – A local nursing home is seeking gift donations for its residents this Christmas.

Seniors living at Post Acute & Rehabilitation, a Medicare-funded facility in Williamsburg, often experience profound loneliness during the holiday season, according to Director of Activities Christianne Brown.

Most rarely have visitors and would ordinarily not receive gifts for Christmas.

“Many of the residents here have very little to no family involvement,” Brown told The Triangle. “Christmas is a time of family coming together and celebrating, so it can be a sad reminder of what is missing.”

To brighten the holidays for those living at the center, Brown and fellow staff member Marilee Taylor are organizing a Christmas donation drive. The goal is to make sure all 75 residents receive a gift.

According to Taylor, the community has generously stepped up to support the initiative in the past, and the residents are “so grateful” for the gifts they receive.

This is the tenth year that the drive has been held, and Taylor is hopeful the community will come through once again.

Most of the nursing home’s residents have simple wish lists. Some asked for basic items like socks or personal hygiene products, while others have requested their favorite snacks, such as Oreo cookies or potato chips.

Taylor said that although many of the wish list items are meager, she hopes the community will also donate more traditional gifts, like games or items of clothing.

Staff from the nursing home have put together an Amazon Wish List to offer gift ideas. Any items purchased through the link will be shipped directly to Post Acute & Rehabilitation. The suggested gifts range in price from about $6 to $37. 

Those who wish to donate can also drop items off directly at the nursing home, which is located at 1235 S. Mount Vernon Ave. in Williamsburg. 

Donation arrangements can be made by e-mailing Taylor at marileetay@aol.com or calling the facility at (757) 229-4121. Callers should ask to speak with “Chrissy the activities director.”

Gift donations will be accepted through Christmas Day.

“Being thought of and seen in any way makes a difference [for the residents],” Brown said.

Brown is also seeking donations of home-cooked or store-bought meals for a Christmas meal and party for residents, which will be held on Dec. 23. 

Food donations can be dropped off at the nursing home on the weekend before or the day of the event. Brown is also willing to pick up the donations, if needed.

Nationwide, 40% of all nursing home residents report feeling a sense of loneliness that reduces their quality of life, according to the National Institutes of Health. That number tends to be higher at Medicare-funded facilities.

The staff at the nursing home strives to create a family-like atmosphere to make sure the residents feel valued year-round, Brown said.

“We are their family. The community has stepped up every year and has been their family as well,” Brown said.