In the chill of midday, at the Citadel Care Centre, with a parade in play, Spider-Mable arrived just in time to bring joy and festive mirth to so many seniors who really needed the lift.
Edmonton’s superhero of indomitable community spirit paid a special visit to the many St. Albert continuing care centre’s residents on Monday and she was joined by a jolly old elf to help seal the season’s greetings.
“Some families don't get see each other so it's good to give the seniors something to stay happy about and let them know that their families are still thinking about them,” she stated.
Seniors waved from their windows as Santa Claus and the webslinger arrived to offer gifts. The sound of their cheers was overpowered even by the honking from other onlookers indicating their enthusiasm from their vehicles.
“There were a few people out there that were waiting. They were waiting for this. They knew it was coming and they were waiting and they were there. The smiles, they were clapping ... it was wonderful,” said Lisa Tooke, one of Spider-Mable’s managers. “Those smiles were incredible.”
The visit was part of a larger campaign called Project ROY (Revive Our Youth) that was started by the Seniors Advocacy Movement. Medical students started the effort at the beginning of the lockdowns to ensure that elderly residents of these facilities still had the platform to voice their mental and physical struggles during the pandemic. Seniors Advocacy Movement has a GoFundMe fundraiser that has already amassed approximately $4,500 to bring joy to seniors through this and other activities. An exhibit resulting from an art therapy project with residents of several Edmonton area long-term care centres is now on display at Southgate Centre.
That’s just another service provided by your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Mable.
"I'm happy that we did this because it was a good experience. And it, hopefully, helps the seniors get through this COVID stuff," she said.
Obviously, massive public health restrictions have made such visits difficult to negotiate and undertake. Spider-Mable is no stranger to wearing masks but confirmed that she, Santa and their entourage were all abiding by all provincial health guidelines. Tooke added they were hoping to make similar visits to other facilities but no details were available by press time.
