It’s our favorite time of the year, a time to enjoy family,
friends and food. At Westminster-Canterbury, we experience all the holidays
have to offer. Here is a list of our favorite community traditions and events
going on this year.
- The Grand Illumination- At the start of the holiday season,
we celebrate with a grand illumination to light up our campus. It’s a fun way
to kick off the holidays each December.
- The “Bell Tree”- Each year, our tree is filled with names of
children of all ages written on bell ornaments. Employees take bells from the
tree, and adopt and shop for children on the list. The gifts are then wrapped
and returned in time to be given to the children at Christmas. This year,
Westminster-Canterbury will deliver gifts to nearly 60 children, making 2014
our biggest year ever.
- Crazy Sweater Day- Whether it lights up, sparkles or
features your favorite holiday character, anything goes on Crazy Sweater Day!
Here are some of our favorites from this year’s event.
- The Employee Christmas Fund- At Christmas time, residents
raise money and donate to the employees to say "thank you" for all of
their service throughout the year. Since employees in departments such as house
keeping, dining, and other customer service jobs can’t accept tips, it’s one
way the residents say thanks for their hard work all year.
- Organ Dedication- Earlier this month, we celebrated the
dedication of a new organ for the chapel on campus donated by resident Greta
Conger. We look forward to hearing our favorite Christmas songs played on the
new organ.
- Gift-wrapping outside the Country Store- Let’s face it, sometimes
you just run out of time to wrap all those gifts. Westminster-Canterbury offers free
gift-wrapping on select days leading up to Christmas, making the holidays a little less
stressful.
- Holiday cards- Friends of Westminster-Canterbury support our
Foundation with the purchase of their holiday cards from
www.cardsforcauses.com. 20% of the order will go directly to our Foundation.
It’s a great way to give back with the cards you already buy.
- Lighting of the Menorah- Though we’re a Christian community,
we enjoy hosting and participating in the holiday traditions of our residents
from all faith backgrounds. We light the Menorah every year at the start of
Hanukah.
- Dining Services Christmas Display- Our creative culinary
team spends months planning and testing the design for their annual Christmas
display outside the dining room. In this year’s creation is made with 15 pounds
of gingerbread dough, 150 pounds of candy and LOTS of cream puffs. Delicious
and festive!
- New Year’s Party- New Year’s at Westminster-Canterbury is
always fun. This year’s party features the Royal Atlantic Band.
