The residents of The Atrium at Serenity Pointe will be treated to a boat parade on Thursday to remind them they have not been forgotten.
Around 2 p.m., a parade featuring around 20 boats will pass by the Lake Hamilton peninsula where the assisted living facility is located.
Katy-Mack Davis, director of sales and marketing at The Atrium, said they will "try to make it to where all our residents are safe and will be able to see it."
Davis said the idea came from a brainstorming session on how they could show support for the residents and staff. The idea of the parade was pitched by Brooke Hobby, director of health and wellness, and Davis noted many of the boats used are owned by family members of the residents.
"Due to COVID-19, our residents have not been able to see or be with their friends or families. We wanted to show our residents that we are thinking of them and are here to support them," said Kim Frederick, the Atrium's executive director. "This is a great way for friends and families to personalize their boats for their family members and parade their boats for their loved ones on Lake Hamilton around The Atrium."
Frederick said the parade will also be for the staff, noting, "They have worked tirelessly during this time and we appreciate everything they do."
Davis said that, due to the coronavirus, it has been difficult to find ways to include all of the residents, but most of them can see the water from their rooms. She said the family members participating in the parade will be able to tell the residents, "We miss you. We love you."
Frederick said other ideas were pitched, but "due to our logistics, it was difficult to find something that all of our residents could enjoy at the same time. We have an amazing location on Lake Hamilton, and being on Serenity Pointe, what better way to show our residents our support than by honoring them with a parade?"
"This is a fun and unique way to express our love for our residents and staff. We want them to see the support from their families and friends, by coming out and joining in the boat parade," she said.
The idea for the parade was a popular one, Frederic said, and they intend for it to become an annual event.
"Everyone was thrilled with the idea. From the overwhelming response, we know this annual parade will grow every year and will be a huge success. We all want our residents to know how much they mean to us and that we are doing this in honor of them," she said.