Mill Falls gets INN the Spirit of Giving

For the past eight years, the staff at this Lakes Region resort has been bringing smiles to elders in the community by fulfilling their Christmas wishes as surprise gifts, warming the hearts of everyone around them.

In December of 2004, The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls and the Meredith Station started a wonderful tradition of bringing gifts to the residents of the Belknap County Nursing Home in Laconia, NH.  Pat Wade, Manager of the Meredith Station, visits the nursing home every year and selects several ornaments from their Christmas tree. Each ornament details a resident’s holiday wishes, which might include favorite sweets, a new cardigan sweater, or fun jewelry.  “We have a lot of ladies who like to doll up,” says Ann Kyle, Activities Director for the home.

Out of the 94 current residents and their ornaments this year, The Inns chose 41 for their gift giving.  Ann explained that Sacred Heart and Saint Joseph’s Church also help with the gifts.  “We have very generous people in the community who are wonderful to our residents,” she says.

The gifts are distributed at the nursing home’s annual Holiday party, which was on Thursday the 22^nd this year.  Many employees of the Inns attended the party to share in the festivities and build friendships with the residents. Ann is overjoyed by the Inns’ participation and generosity.  Ann states, “We can’t thank the staff of the Inns enough for what they do. The residents truly look forward to receiving the gifts each year.”  She says the custom presents “put a smile on their face from ear to ear!”

Michelle Brown, Director of Marketing for the Inns and the Meredith Station, states, “We were looking for a way as a company to give back to the community.  Pat Wade brought the idea of the Belknap County Nursing Home to the group and we have enjoyed it as part of our Holidays ever since.  The employees really look forward to picking the ornaments and sharing their gifts with the residents.”

“The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls have been so good to us,” says Ann.  “The program has just been wonderful, absolutely wonderful to our residents.”

Carrie Reed
Mill Falls Blogging Team

Image credit: Aaron Jacobs at Flickr.com