Lakewood Division Of Aging Is Preparing For The Holidays

Families and children around the world look forward to December 6th with eager anticipation. St. Nicholas Day is a special day at the Lakewood Division of Aging as well, as this marks the kick off to our Christmas season. The Lawther Center and Senior Center East will be decked out in all of their holiday finery, and there will be Christmas music in the air. Our St. Nicholas Day party will feature an appetizer and dessert pot luck before lunch, as well a seasonal musical performance by the students of Lakewood Community Care Center. After lunch, we will hold our annual white-elephant gift exchange. Sometimes silly, sometimes naughty, always funny, always fun.

One very well-loved part of this annual party is the “Illuminate A Memory” Ceremony. People can purchase ornamental doves in memory of, or in honor of loved ones. The doves will be hung on the Christmas trees at each of the centers. At a point during the morning’s festivities, we will pause to remember and pay our respects to those loved ones that were honored with the ornaments. The money raised during “Illuminate A Memory” goes to support Division of Aging services and programs that directly benefit Lakewood seniors. Many people find it touching and meaningful to take a moment at the start of the holiday season to remember those who have meant so much to us over the years. Anyone may participate in “Illuminate A Memory." The doves cost $5.00, and a letter will be sent to the individual, or the family of the individual, informing them that a dove has been purchased in their honor. “Illuminate A Memory” flyers are available at each of the senior centers, as well as various locations throughout the community.

If you are a senior, 60 years or older, we would love to have you join us. We will be celebrating St. Nicholas Day on Wednesday, December 6th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We will be celebrating at both the Lawther Center, 16024 Madison Ave., and at Senior Center East, 12400 Madison Ave. in Lakewood. We make our meal reservations one week in advance. Reserve your meal by calling The Division of Aging Nutrition Office at 216-529-5005. Feel free to bring an appetizer or dessert to share, and if you have an odd, silly, funny, peculiar object that you are not attached to, wrap it up and bring it to our White Elephant gift exchange. Do not worry, you will be going home with someone else’s funny, odd object instead. Please call the Division of Aging Activities Office at 216-529-5005. We hope to see you there as we kick off the holiday season.