FITCHBURG — The Highlands was brimming with holiday cheer on Thursday for the official launch of the Santa hotline, which is now a beloved yearly tradition.
A room at the assisted living and rehabilitation facility on Nichols Street has been decked out with several Christmas trees and decorations and many of the senior residents wore festive apparel for the afternoon occasion. What was taking place was Santa’s Highlands Hotline Academy, a unique training session during which residents reviewed the names of the reindeer, practiced their hearty ho-ho-ho’s, and learned the art of taking calls as Santa or Mrs. Claus.
“We are thrilled again this year to provide a direct, toll-free phone number for area children to speak with Santa and Mrs. Claus,” The Highlands Executive Director Mark Ailinger said ahead of the Dec. 18 gathering. “Our residents are still vibrant members of this community and very much enjoy giving back of their time and talent, especially to area children. We’re delighted to offer parents and children the opportunity to create some wonderful memories by having their kids or grandkids talk live to Santa and Mrs. Claus on our toll-free number.”
Want to talk to Santa and Mrs. Claus? Call the hotline at 978-353-7344, which is open daily from 3 to 5 p.m. through Wednesday, Dec. 24. The Highlands provides a direct line to Santa, and he and Mrs. Claus will be taking a break from making toys and wrapping presents each afternoon to answer calls and hear children’s holiday wishes.
Peg Brennan, 93, has called The Highlands home for two years and this is her second year as a special elf helping with the hotline. When asked what she enjoys doing about it, her face lit up when she spoke about talking to the children and hearing “the excitement in their voices.”
This is also fellow Highlands resident Dorothy Wolferseder’s second time participating in the community initiative.
“I like what the kids say, they say such cute things,” the beaming 86-year-old said about what she gets out of it.
Mayor Sam Squailia joined in the fun along with her Deputy Chief of Staff Myles Phillips-Wilcox. Squailia once again proclaimed The Highlands as a North Pole sub-station and presented a special citation to Business Development Director Bill O’Connor and Activities Director Stephenie Jackson, who help bring the hotline to life by coordinating directly with Santa Claus to ensure everything is North Pole-approved.
Squailia praised everyone involved with creating the magical experience and the citation stated in part that “bringing all the joy to all the children” is very much appreciated.
The seniors went over their scripts, which includes introducing themselves to callers and asking how old they are and what they want for Christmas. O’Connor went around the room asking if anyone needed a drink or anything while members of team Highlands passed out cookies and other goodies and then everyone was presented with graduation papers.
Two representatives from Walmart showed the senior elves the hot toys of the season and after Jackson quizzed them all on the reindeer names, she asked each of the seniors what kinds of toys they got when they were little. Before the academy wrapped up and the hotline went live, everyone joined together in singing holidays classics including “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” a good reminder to live by Buddy the Elf’s mantra — “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
O’Connor said they are happy to provide this special service for youngsters and said the hotline is “a way for us to give back to our community.”
“It exists to provide joyful interaction between children and Santa Claus.”
Original article
Comments