Collaboration brings ‘true magic’ of Christmas to town

It was billed as “Brunch with Santa,” but Mr. Claus was not the only one in a fur-trimmed red suit this weekend as hundreds of people gathered at the Johnston Senior Center for holiday fun.
It looked like the green-furred Grinch was also in the house in a Santa suit, but that only added to the spirited gathering organized by the senior center and dozens of providers who work together throughout the year to coordinate and facilitate services for older residents.
“We wanted to do something for the community,” said senior center Executive Director Richard DelFino of the annual event. He estimated that more than 1,000 people from Johnston and neighboring cities and towns showed up to enjoy food, music and family actives.
The event was largely the work of the Johnston Senior Provider Collaboration Committee. DelFino said the committee consists of representatives of a wide variety of service agencies and organizations — including nursing homes and assisted living facilities — which work together with the goal of meeting the needs of senior citizens.
“We meet regularly to talk about how we can best help people,” DelFino said, noting that many of the providers often offer services or programs for free at the senior center throughout the year.
He said the holiday event was planned as a family affair since multi-generational interactions benefit seniors and the quality of their lives and that guests came from Johnston, Warwick, Cranston, North Providence, and Smithfield.
Maurizio Marchese, Admissions Director at Morgan Rehab & Healthcare in Johnston, said it was a day filled with the holiday spirit and activities that include craft tables for children, music by a brass quartet, an appearance by Dominick the Donkey, lots and lots of cookies, and an opportunity to take pictures with Santa.
He said that guests were enthusiastic and appreciative with Katie Scorpio, a mother of saying that the event “brought the true magic of Christmas to Johnston.”
“It was all at no cost to the community and we wanted as many people to come as possible,” DelFino said. “We want people to come and see the center and learn about the services that are provided here by us and our partners. We want them to see the care that their loved ones are getting, and we want them to feel at home.”
Marchese said that there were dozens of partner providers and businesses made the special day possible, and he gave special thanks to core sponsors: Morgan Rehabilitation and Healthcare, The Bridge at Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill Manor Nursing and Rehab Center and Anchor Bay at Pocasset.
He also said that volunteers from Johnston High School played a key role in the event’s success.
With reports from Barbara Polichetti.