Residents of Bethesda Place have been thoroughly enjoying many different caroling groups this Christmas season.

Martha Sawatzky is in charge of recreation at Bethesda Place. She says they start organizing various school, church, and community caroling groups as early as October.

People love to come here to carol. It just brings so much joy to us and just to see when they walk in with their energy how that amplifies on the faces of our residents, puts smiles on their faces. It's fabulous.”

Resident Bill Chobotar says carollers are a real highlight during the Christmas season.

“Just about every night there is someone who comes around and does some caroling and It is wonderful. We have some church groups that come quite a few times in the week in the afternoon. Then we have one bunch that comes and they sing right from the heart and to me they are one of the best around.”

Sawatzky says they try to make an event out of Christmas preparations by getting many of the residents to help with decorating the halls and baking Christmas goodies. She notes they also hold an annual Christmas party.

“The goal of the Christmas party is to bring the residents and family into one room and to celebrate together the gift of Christ. We like to involve as many residents as we know of that can maybe play an instrument or sing or might even be able to read some story. We try and involve them in what they do best.”

Sawatzky says recreation is all about putting smiles on the resident's faces and that is exactly what the Christmas celebrations and carollers do this time of year.