A heartwarming story out of Roscommon County, where the sheriff’s office is helping area seniors get into the holiday spirit.
Friday was the second day where deputies and volunteers with the victim services unit were making the rounds, passing out cookies and cards to close to 200 seniors before the thanksgiving holiday.
The deputies and volunteers visited five places in the county. Friday, they were at The Brook assisted living facility and King Nursing Center in Houghton Lake.
Deputy Emilie Pelleran who coordinates the program said they started it a few years ago and they look forward to it every year.
“It feels good, to see smiles, get hugs, handshakes, those type of things that you don’t get on a day-to-day basis in law enforcement,” said Pelleran.
She said it’s a segment of the community that often gets overlooked during the holidays.
“I feel like it’s part of our community. A population that maybe sometimes, people don’t ever think about or they forget. And it’s important for them to be seen and to have a little cheer for their Thanksgiving,” said Pelleran.
99-year-old Mary Brown is one of the seniors they visited. She has lived there for seven years and says they do a good job of getting people into the holiday spirit.
“We get quite a bit of that here at the Brook, and we enjoy every bit of it,” said Brown.
She said this year, Thanksgiving Day has extra special meaning to her, she will turn 100.
“About every fifth year, fourth or fifth year, it lands on Thanksgiving Day,” said Brown.
Brown said because of that she’s already in the holiday spirit, excited about that important milestone, but still she enjoyed the visit from the sheriff’s office.
“I think it’s just lovely. I love people and I don’t mind visiting with people. I love people,” said Brown.
She said she also enjoyed the treats.
“I always love cookies. And I’m not ashamed of it. I do love cookies,” said Brown.
For 95-year-old Althea Hutchinson from Birch Run, who has lived at The Brook for six years, she said it’s not about the treats but the company.
“Oh, no, not the cookie. It’s really just the idea that somebody would do that. Take the time to do it,” said Hutchinson.
She said her family and friends visit but not everyone has people that visit.
“I think that’s really nice to get out and do that for people. Some people don’t see, you know, hardly anybody,” said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson said she looks forward to the visits every year.
“I think that’s very nice, actually. I mean, everybody is so busy now that they would take a day to do this. I think it’s wonderful,” said Hutchinson.
She said she looks forward to the perks of the visit.
“Oh, all these good-looking guys come in,” said Hutchinson with a grin.