Armstrong County Health Center Activities Coordinator, Hannah Megown, helps Santa pass out presents donated to residents by members of the community.
by Sarah Hepfl
The residents of the Armstrong County Health Center gathered along with their family, friends, local businesses, and even Santa Claus himself to celebrate their annual Project Joy Festival.
Health Center Activity Coordinator, Hannah Megown, explains the history behind this annual festival that was held on Tuesday, December 22 this year.
“We’ve been doing it for 28 years; it’s called Project Joy for Joint Operation Yuletide.” Megown said.
Megown commented that the Health Center functions more like a big family rather than a facility, and Project Joy Festival is a way to help residents feel like they are truly at home for the holidays.
In order to get Christmas gifts for all of the residents, Megown reaches out to the community for donations.
“As a county home we’re nonprofit, so we don’t have the funds. I send letters out around Thanksgiving time to the community, to businesses, and then just general people who have opened up their hearts before and donated in the past. We send out a letter with a general wish list.” Megown said.
This year’s event began with Armstrong County’s Outstanding Teen, Madison Kunst playing her guitar and having residents join in and sing along to joyous Christmas carols like “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”.
Residents clap and sing along to the Christmas Carols performed by Armstrong County’s Outstanding Teen, Madison Kunst.
Following the performance, Santa Claus (impersonated by former County Commissioner Jim Scahill) made an appearance to hand out the presents that the community kindly donated. Inside the many gift bags were unused items such as clothing, blankets, and more that the residents included in their Christmas wish lists.
“[The residents] request anything from socks, to lotion, to CD players, to room decorations. They’re usually very small requests, which is kind of sweet to see, and they are always very thankful for what they get. It’s nice to see the community come together to help them out.” Megown said.
Thanks to dedicated employees, volunteers, and members of the community, residents of the Armstrong County Health Center were able to spend Christmas time filled with joy, love, and gratitude.
And where are these poor souls going to go if the commissioners sell the Health Center??
How about writing, “Santa came with a little help from Jim Scahill?” We’d get your implication! You’re the second writer who told the secret for this paper.
Children also read this paper.
Great job, Health Center! Hope to see this article again NEXT year (except with “a little help from…” inserted into it)!!!
Happy New Year to all the good little elves and residents at the Armstrong County Health Center!!!