Blog

Making Spirits Bright at the Pt. Defiance ~ Ruston Senior Center

By Christine Hall

Festive music and joyous spirits were in abundance last week at the Pt. Defiance ~ Ruston Senior Center when they hosted their annual holiday party. Over 70 people were in attendance and with much gratitude to an anonymous donor, everyone enjoyed a complimentary delicious ham lunch accompanied with apple pie and ice cream and served by Catholic Community Services.  During the meal, themed gift baskets that were generously donated by FTJ team members/departments, were raffled, and won by lucky ticket holders.

To ensure that the participants went home with extra special gifts, a very thoughtful Franke Tobey Jones resident had held her own fundraiser at the FTJ Holiday Market in early December.  She made and sold beaded ornaments, raising enough money to purchase 108 hams!  Prior to the lunch, FTJ residents gathered one afternoon and filled colorful Christmas bags with the hams, pineapple, and chocolates. FTJ provided gift cards for groceries.

The City of Tacoma also participated in the holiday giving.  Tacoma Councilman John Hines and two City representatives brought charcuterie boxes for every attendee to take home.

Enthused Kate Gray, Senior Center Director, “First of all, I am eternally grateful to everyone who made this such a meaningful and bountiful holiday.  This was an amazing year and far exceeded my hopes and expectations for what we could provide our seniors.  They were in awe of the wonderful contributions and how many people had thought of them at this special time.  Thank you to everyone including the FTJ resident volunteers who filled the gift bags for truly making a difference and touching the lives of so many seniors in our community. “