Around 60 St. Albertans jumped in their cars Sunday afternoon to put on a parade for seniors in the community, bringing much-needed joy to residents and front-line staff stuck inside during coronavirus restrictions
Cars decorated in balloons and signs with messages of love and well-wishes weaved their way past at least seven long-term care and retirement homes in St. Albert, as participants honked their horns, waved and played music for senior residents as they watched.
"It was overwhelming – we couldn't believe how many people came," said parade organizer Sandra Urbanovitch, dressed as Minnie Mouse. "It was so heartwarming to see everyone smiling and waving. It was awesome."
After seeing how isolated her own mother and other seniors were at long-term care residences because of the pandemic, Urbanovitch said she decided to organize the parade as a way of brightening their day.
"They don't get to come out and socialize, they don't get out to even do their grocery shopping. They're missing their loved ones, they're missing their kids, their grandkids ... little acts of kindness is the best way to show our love and our support."
The simple idea quickly grew into a full-fledged motorcade, joined by two RCMP cars and dancers from the Kathryn Campbell School of Highland Dance. Morinville-St. Albert UCP MLA Dale Nally also took part in the parade.
The parade started at the Mission Hill Grande, and the Mission Hill Village and River Ridge-Revera, then headed down to other senior residence homes in the community, including the Foyer Lacombe, the Youville, North Ridge Lodge, and Chateau Mission.
As the procession geared up for its next location, a few Highland dancers, accompanied by a bagpipe player, jumped out of their vehicles and performed a Scottish Highland dance to the delight of residents and staff.
Senior resident Cathy Evans, who has lived at the Chateau Mission home for 16 years, sat outside by the front doors to watch the procession. She said the parade was "just wonderful."
"The St. Albert community is very friendly, and it's just great that they've put that together for people," Evans said.
Another Chateau Mission resident Juliana Krautheim said the parade was heartwarming to see.
"We thought it was absolutely awesome! Everyone was just yelling and cheering us on, it was absolutely wonderful, it made me cry," Krautheim said, smiling.
Danielle Jan, who works at Chateau Mission, said the parade brought up the spirits of everyone at the seniors home.
"Right from the bottom of my heart, we were so thankful. There were a lot of happy tears," she said.
Approximately 60 cars lined the streets in St. Albert's Riverside neighbourhood as organizers prepared to kick off the seniors parade on April 26. BRITTANY GERVAIS/St. Albert Gazette 
Organizers Nicole McLean (front) and Sandra Urbanovitch (back) celebrate after a successful parade. BRITTANY GERVAIS/St. Albert Gazette
Cathy Evans, senior resident at Chateau Mission, waves to all the cars parading past on April 26. BRITTANY GERVAIS/St. Albert Gazette.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
