Mary Kay Volunteers Adopt Grandparents in Local Nursing Homes

Mary Kay Consultants, Jeanie Baker of Palmersville, and Judy Mehan of Martin, spent last weekend delivering Christmas gifts to many nursing home and assisted-living residents in Weakley, Fulton and Carroll counties and Fulton County, Kentucky.

NORTHWEST TENNESSEE (December 18) - Local nursing home residents received a gift and a hearty dose of holiday cheer when they opened their packages from the sponsors of the “Project: Adopt a Grandparent in a Nursing Home for Christmas,” coordinated by Mary Kay consultants, Judy Mehan of Martin and Jeanie Baker of Palmersville.

This is the 14th Christmas the pair brought gifts and joy to residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and senior living centers in Weakley, Obion and Carroll counties in Tennessee and Fulton County, Kentucky. More than 560 gifts and snacks were given - all sponsored by local businesses, large and small, as well as friends, families and community members.

"Because of the pandemic and how devastating it has been for residents to be confined to their rooms and/or facilities and to have no visitors, making them feel loved and remembered was more important than ever this year. We are so appreciative of our supporters. We could not have done it without you! We humbly thank you," said Mehan.

Normally the ladies enjoy visiting with every resident, but this year they were content to have the nursing home staff play Santa and distribute to the residents' rooms or at their Christmas party.

Not only residents, but staff and residents' families have expressed gratitude for the project. Baker recalled calling to inform an activity director at one facility that they were bringing gifts.

"She said no one has ever done this for our people. I am so happy I could cry. You don't know what this will mean to them," Baker noted. Mehan and Baker hope one day to have gifts for residents of all the facilities in the area.