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Local nursing home hosts holiday event with soldiers

News Enterprise - 12/15/2017

Christmas came early for residents of Signature HealthCare of Elizabethtown as members of the U.S. Army Garrison Office of Religious Support visited Thursday morning to bring holiday cheer.

Gathered in a room decorated with holiday adornments and a Christmas tree, nursing home residents were treated to performances of Christmas carols and received gifts.

Signature employee Jennifer Weigl said the event is a way for many residents to feel a sense of togetherness for the holidays.

"For a lot of our residents, they don't have family," she said. "Today, they were their family and this may be the only gift some of them open this year."

Organizer Evens Israel said the event used to be provided by Ireland Army Community Hospital before the downsizing that occurred in 2016. Looking for a way for the Office of Religious Support to help seniors in the community, Israel said he wanted to revive the event for 2017.

"When they got downsized, it seems like it kind of fell by the wayside until I got here and reached out to (Weigl)," he said.

Several U.S. Army Garrison leaders were present at the event, including Command Sgt. Maj. Garrick Griffin, who spoke to the residents and gave holiday greetings at the beginning of the visit.

The group sang several holiday classics, including "Joy to the World," "Silent Night" and "The First Noel." Each resident also was given a gift bag and blanket.

The event was bookended by prayers from David Vanderjagt, Office of Religious Support chaplain. Vanderjagt said the event was a great opportunity for community outreach and holiday cheer.

"It helps the community and helps us stay involved in the community, which is all very important," he said. "And I love bringing joy to people."

Weigl said residents were happy to see Army personnel return this year, and said it's an event they have looked forward to every Christmas.

"The fact that they made it back this year has meant the world to the residents," she said. "They ask every year, 'Is Fort Knox coming?'"

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