Aloha … from BethelAloha ... from Bethel
RANDOLPH, Aug. 26, 2008 – Participants in the Gifford Adult Day Program in Bethel Tuesday celebrated with a Hawaiian Luau.
The festive décor and meal that included barbecued pineapple, non-alcoholic pina coladas and upside down cakes was thanks to in part to a suggestion from Rochester’s Rosanna Carlos.
The 83-year-old Adult Day participant told Director Judy Santamore that, if she could go anywhere, Hawaii would be it.
“Her face just beamed when she said it,” recalled Santamore Tuesday.
In leis and grass skirts, staff including Santamore put together the luau in honor of Carlos’s request and in celebration of Hawaii becoming a state in August of 1959.
Participants all wore Hawaiian shirts, diligently collected by Gifford Medical Center Auxiliary members from Thrift Shop donations. Decorations filling the Route 107 adult day center were bought or borrowed.
“I think it’s great,” said Santos of all that came of her request.
Settling in with full bellies after the lunchtime feast, the others agreed. “We all ate too much, and we’ll do it again,” said René Nadeau of Randolph.
The Adult Day Program, which cares for the elderly and disabled, regularly holds activities and celebrations for its 19 participants. The next major celebration will be a week of activities on Sept. 21-27 in celebration of National Adult Day Services Week.
Adult Day is part of Gifford Medical Center and is available in Bethel for families in need of help caring for loved ones or individuals who are in need of daytime assistance with meals, hygiene, medications and more. For more information on its services, call the center at (802) 728-2165.