February 29, 2016 (Hickory, NC) ─ As fans of the Carolina Panthers football team, staff and residents at Hickory Village Memory Care, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Hickory, enjoyed following the team progress all the way to the Super Bowl. Thanks to resident Virginia Harris’ son Keith, a fun tradition was started every time the team won!

Each time the team played, Hickory Village Administrator Susan Blizzard would talk to Keith about the players and play-by-play of the game. After the first win, Keith took advantage of a deal offered by Krispy Kreme donuts and delivered six dozen donuts for the staff at the senior living community.

“Little did we know he would start a tradition and bring donuts to the staff after every win,” said Administrative Assistant Suzanne Devine. “Fifteen games later we were still receiving donuts.”

In total, Keith Harris delivered 1,080 donuts. Devine said the donut tradition even got staff that were not interested in football to start watching the games. Pictured above are Hickory Village Memory Care staff members (left to right, back row) Personal Care Assistant Diane Hensley, Administrator Susan Blizzard, Med Tech/Supervisor-in-Charge Deidre Mayfield, Maintenance Director JP Wrigley, Med Tech/Supervisor-in-Charge Quadria Sanders, (left to right, front row) Med Tech/Supervisor-in-Charge Stephanie Ward and Dietary Cook Barbara Phillips demonstrating the Dab, a move patented by Carolina Panther’s Quarterback Cam Newton after each touchdown or big play. Also pictured is Keith Harris and his mother Virginia, a resident at Hickory Village Memory Care.

After playing fifteen games, the Panthers advanced to the Super Bowl 50 NFL Conference. Residents and staff at Hickory Village had high hopes that the Panthers would win. Susan Blizzard held a Super Bowl Party for our staff to gather momentum for the big game. Even though The Carolina Panthers didn’t win the Super Bowl this year, residents and staff enjoyed seeing their hometown team rise to the occasion and make it to the Super Bowl for the second time in history.

“It was so exciting to see t-shirt stands everywhere selling flags, t-shirts, mugs and stickers with The Carolina Panthers logo,” said Devine. In order to show their appreciation to Keith Harris, the staff presented him with a Carolina Panthers t-shirt during a party held in his honor!

In addition, Hickory Village is sending a sign to The Carolina Panthers thanking them for making this a special year for the Carolinas! For more information about Hickory Village, please contact Administrator Susan Blizzard at (828) 322-2230 or visit us on Facebook.