Despite any restrictions or limitations, Vista Blue Mountain seniors would still be visiting a pumpkin patch this year, even if they had to make their own.
Every fall, the staff at Vista Blue Mountain Assisted Living and Memory Care facility pack up and travel to the pumpkin patch to select the best pumpkin for carving and decorating. However, this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, staff are unable to travel with the residents outside the facility.
“They’re used to going out and picking their pumpkins, but with this COVID, they just weren’t able to,” said Traci Horn, activities director of Vista Blue Mountain. “So, we’re making our own Pumpkin Patch!”
Not letting anything keep in their way of obtaining a staple fall tradition at the facility, Vista Blue Mountain reached out to local stores for help. Answering the call was the neighboring Grand Terrace Grocery Outlet.
Upon hearing the news, without hesitation Eric and Priscilla Santillan, owners of the Grand Terrace Grocery Outlet packed up their car, drove next door and donated 24 pumpkins to the residents of Vista Blue Mountain on October 5, 2020.
“We are always willing to try to help,” said Eric. “We felt that when we first did this, this is what it’s about. The freedom of being an independent owner so that we are able to do the things we feel are the right things to do for the community.”
Vista Blue Mountain staff and residents were full of smiles and gratitude as Eric and Priscilla started to unload the pumpkins.
“Thank you very much it means so much, you guys are so generous to this community, I had no idea how much you do,” said Horn. “We are so, so grateful to have you.”
The great pumpkin donation was a true representation of lending a helping hand to your fellow neighbor. Dorothy, one of the residents of Vista Blue Mountain said they wouldn’t be able to do much without the help of staff and people like Grand Terrace Grocery Outlet.
When speaking about the activities director, Dorothy said, “I don’t know what we’d do without her; she does so much for us.”
Not letting anything get in his way, the 100 years young Hank was also in attendance to thank Grand Terrace Grocery Outlet. Hank is a WW2 Army Veteran and a Purple Heart recipient who celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year in March.
The residents of Blue Vista Mountain used the donated pumpkins for their pumpkin painting party on October 6, where they put their talented skills to the test and created special spooky and fun decorated pumpkins.
To add to the festivities, the Grand Terrace Grocery Outlet is holding a Halloween Virtual Pumpkin Decorating Contest for the chance to win a “Big Mac” Pumpkin that weighs over 50 lbs!
Everyone who is interested in entering can visit the Grand Terrace Grocery Outlet on Facebook to learn more.
“We waited a long time to become a part of this community,” Priscilla Santillian said. “We’re neighbors and we’re happy to give back.”
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