Dec 30, 2019 3 min read

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Jim and Cindy Sebek, of Waynesburg, picked a chilly Dec. 18 evening with temperatures dropping below 25 degrees to make sure people in Greene County were staying warm.

The Sebeks, who are members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, bought 200 pairs of socks online and at local stores to give out to residents of Rolling Meadows Nursing Home in Waynesburg and Waynesburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. They will donate whatever is left to the Washington City Mission.

According to Jim, this was their fourth year passing out socks. The idea came from a project the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) had about a decade ago, which ended up falling apart. So, the couple decided to get the donations going again with the help of a couple friends and their grandchildren.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said, “How great it is to give to some of these people… they get very few visitors outside of family. It’s neat. It’s a good feeling.”

The Sebeks are not alone in spreading the holiday spirit throughout Greene County’s nursing facilities and personal care homes. When volunteers like them arrive at these homes, they usually encounter a decorated building, just like they would at home.

Rolling Meadows administrator Pam Taylor said the nursing facility decorates a tree with all residents’ names and all visitors. Then staff members can pick a name tag and buy a gift for that person. Since many residents aren’t able to go out, Taylor said Rolling Meadows throws a “big party” before Christmas, with music and a special meal for them and their guests.

Waynesburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center also tries to bring out everyone’s holiday spirit with Christmas music playing in the hallways and decorating the building. According to activities director and Alzheimer’s director Ilene Richezza, residents help make handmade ornaments for the trees. The facility also organizes a Christmas party with an entertainer who usually passes out gifts for everyone at the end of the night.

Co-owner Dawn McDaniel said residents at McDaniel’s Personal Care Home in Clarksville receive many visitors during December. Carolers from Girl Scouts and schools in the area sing, while churches and businesses buy gifts for the residents.

“The community is tremendous at this time of year. A lot of them are just randomly popping in, sometimes they just donate little treat bags,” she said. “Some come and send packets of Christmas cards to mail out to family and friends.”

Another friendly face residents can expect to see is Joan Spalding’s. McDaniel explained Spalding celebrates all the residents’ birthdays with them on top of picking a couple of the residents each year for Christmas gifts.

“That woman is God-sent,” McDaniel said. “She is constantly doing phenomenal things.”

Spalding couldn’t be reached for comment, she’s likely busy spreading holiday cheer.