January 19, 2018 (Mt. Airy, NC) ─ Santa had a lot of helpers this year! Residents at Twelve Oaks, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Mt. Airy, were the recipients of many selfless and generous acts of kindness this holiday season!

Santa arrived at Twelve Oaks on a Harley Davidson along with members of the Dragon Slayers, a non-profit motorcycle club and the Irish American Brotherhood, to deliver good spirits and teddy bears. The clubs collected teddy bears from as far away as Randolph County. Pictured above is resident Mae Turpin chat with Santa and resident Randy Newman with Dragon Slayers club members Tilwaukee Williams, Dusty Moorefield, Cody Moorefield, Bryant Williams, Micah Dowdy, Dylan Dean, Michael Cutting, Langdon Walsh (Santa) and Ann Walsh (elf).

“I think everyone was very overwhelmed when they left that day knowing that they showed the seniors that we care,” said Ann Walsh. “It made everybody feel good.”

Employees from Wake Forest Eye Center in Mt. Airy stopped into Twelve Oaks to share gifts and comradery! Pictured above are Wendy Whaley, Valerie Faw and Kem Jessup with resident Pete Bowman. Valerie and Wendy are also pictured with resident Ruby Vainwright.

“It was an act of kindness from the heart,” said Valerie. “It really meant a lot to us, and I think it meant to the residents as well. We were tickled and proud of Kem for coming up with the idea to give to those in need.”

The American Legion Post 123 and Sons of the American Legion Post 123 of Mt. Airy paid a visit over the holidays to recognize Twelve Oaks residents who had served. Phillip and Mary Lanford, Mark and Beverly Barr, and Michael Thorpe delivered personalized gifts to each veteran – pajamas, socks, shirts, special cookies and candies, and blankets emblazoned with bald eagles.

“We’re a veterans’ organization of veterans still serving veterans,” said Michael Thorpe. “It’s just a way for us to give extra effort at least once a year, but we’re hoping to make it on a more year-round basis.”

Michael is pictured left with Twelve Oaks resident Ted Coleman.

“Twelve Oaks is so blessed with the outpouring of generosity from our community,” said Twelve Oaks Administrator Penny Haynes. “So many selfless acts of kindness are shared with our residents over the holidays and throughout the year. We appreciate our community always thinking about our sweet folks.”

For more information about Twelve Oaks, please contact Administrator Penny Haynes at (336) 786-1130, at phaynes@depaul.org or visit us on Facebook.