People tend to forget the elderly

JERMYN — Decorative Christmas bags full of residents’ wishes made their way to the Carbondale Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Sunday — carried not by Santa or elves but by the Mountain Sky Family.

The family, a group of volunteers and friends of the Jermyn festival ground, adopted the center this holiday season to spread Christmas joy in the community.

“People tend to forget about the elderly,” Neeko Beahan said. So this year they will make wishes come true for almost 130 residents.

Ms. Beahan was the brains behind the operation.

A health care consultant from Clifford Twp., she got the idea from a similar donation her company held for foster children.

Ms. Beahan contacted the nursing home to set up the adoption and was sent a wish list that included “minimal simple stuff,” she said, like throw blankets, puzzles, activities and body lotions.

“I’m so excited,” Ms. Beahan said, waiting for all the gifts to be packed up and delivered.

The group, which promoted the event on Facebook, was even sent presents from New Jersey, said Mike “Ragu” Rogowski, owner.

The nursing staff at the home will deliver the presents today. “We’re very thankful,” said Eileen Ferretti, activity aide at the center.

No stranger to charitable projects, the sprawling Jermyn venue at 63 Stillmeadow Lane had a freedom festival to benefit troops, bike rides and other benefit events for the local community. Beginning Jan. 15, members will host an “intimate evening of music” every Thursday with different musicians, and a lineup of events is planned for this year.