Casino Night at Sacred Heart Home, Denver
February 8, 2013
After weeks of trying on gowns and making the adjustments necessary, “A Night to Remember” finally arrived!
Friday morning, February 8, the house was full of all kinds of activities! The hairdresser came early and stayed late, all the women wanted their hair done for the grand occasion. The kitchen employees were busy with the evening meal; the housekeeping dept. was cleaning and moving tables and chairs here and there; Little Sisters, A.J.J. members, volunteers and the activity dept. were decorating the ground floor and the auditorium; everyone was busy helping to get the Residents ready for the enchanting evening.
Suddenly it was 5 p.m. – where did the day go?!!! Two Little Sisters were at the front door to meet the students from Colorado State University, Regis University, Colorado School of Mines, University of Wyoming, and the Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy. As they came the students were given a name of a Resident, their room number and a corsage. The students went to introduce themselves; it was a “blind date!” and escorted them to the dining room, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion.
After dinner, the Residents and their guests were invited to the auditorium for “A Night in Las Vegas,” a party rental company donated for the evening: 8 Blackjack Tables, a Roulette Table, A Wheel of Fortune and a Craps Table. Several volunteers and families of the Residents were the dealers of the various tables.
Each couple was given 10 poker chips and it was up to them to get more or lose them all! “Let the gambling begin!” One Resident and her date stayed at the Blackjack Table throughout the evening, while winning, they were conversing with each other via a small white board, for the Resident had had a stroke and can no longer speak. The Wheel of Fortune was a great hit with everyone and there were people milling around that table all evening! Another crowd was at the Craps Table, which was a bit hit, with everyone wanting to roll the dice. Even Edith Stricker, at 103 years old, had her date who was very attentive to her and helped her play the game she wanted!
It was beautiful to see the interaction of the young adults with the Residents. Everyone was happy … it was hard to tell who was the happiest, the Residents, students, Little Sisters, A.J.J. members or volunteers. St. Jeanne Jugan words echoed in our hearts: “Making the elderly happy, that’s all that counts.”
There was no money involved, the students helped the Residents turn in their chips to choose the prizes they wanted. Although some Residents left early, the majority stayed; no one was in a hurry to leave. There was a bar in the breezeway with soda, juices, punch and shakes and when the Residents and their dates got tired from playing we would find them there sitting at the tables, talking, laughing and even singing! Before anyone realized it, it was 9 p.m., the party started to die down and little by little the young adults would accompany the Residents to their rooms.
In a family spirit, so dear to St. Jeanne Jugan, the young adults, volunteers and Little Sisters pitched in to clean up. Before our guests left they were making plans for another big event for next year!
Click here to view a photo slideshow from this event!
A Night to Remember