Opinion: Alone or together, let's make the most for Christmas

Gift boxes under a Christmas tree, decorations, red wrapping paper presents, Christmas holiday. / Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto/Inna Dodor
Gift boxes under a Christmas tree, decorations, red wrapping paper presents, Christmas holiday. / Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto/Inna Dodor

Linay Rogers works as the life enrichment director at East Ridge Residence, a senior independent living community located in, well, you know.

Rogers describes her role as being a lot like an entertainment director on a cruise ship, not unlike Julie from "The Love Boat."

Of the close to 100 or so residents at the community, Rogers couldn't help but notice a significant number of them had outlived family. It's a sad but undeniable fact: People die, and loved ones are left behind.

Being alone is never easy. Being alone at the holidays is heartbreaking.

So Rogers, who has become comfortable working deals and trades with vendors who will support bingo nights or trivia contests, was determined to make this Christmas joyful for her residents who were facing an isolated Christmas.

(READ MORE: How to choose a senior living community)

Let's give her the floor.

"We had several who have outlived all their family members and were facing a Christmas all alone, and I knew we could try to find a way to make Christmas special," she said. "So I went to Facebook and asked if anyone was willing to sponsor one of our residents and help make their Christmas better.

"The response was amazing."

OK, while so much Facebook news is cringeworthy, this one certainly makes you hold out a glimmer of hope for social media.

Inside of 24 hours, Rogers was turning volunteers away, even as she added a few extra names to the list.

It's a story that should make us all smile.

(READ MORE: East Ridge celebrates 100 years)

And it's a story that should make us all want to be kinder in the months that do not include our celebrations of the birth of Jesus.

"It made me so happy," Rogers said of the community's response. "I am so delighted to talk about these amazing people.

"The Scripture tells us to care for the least of these, and our residents have lived long lives and done great things, and now they are here. And our goal is to make their lives better," she said.

Like many of area independent-living communities, East Ridge Residence is always looking for an extra hand, a part-time volunteer or even an occasional letter writer.

(READ MORE: 7 ways to spend the holidays around Chattanooga)

"If anyone is looking for a way to give back, give us a call or even another [senior] community," Rogers said. "[Our residents] crave interaction, and they adore having visitors. And they love to get mail, so you could be a pen pal or just write a letter."

Yeah, letters this time of year are not uncommon. Think Christmas cards or kids' letters to Santa.

But think of the joy and simple pleasure one letter a month to someone in an independent- or assisted-living facility could create.

"In the new year, it would be great to find more people who are active in support of our residents," Rogers said.

Amen.

And Merry Christmas.

Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.

View other columns by Jay Greeson

photo Jay Greeson

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