Halloween is known for its tricks and treats, but residents at Riverview Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Coventry, RI, enjoyed more of the latter when they were greeted recently by smiling students from Father John V. Doyle School bearing a plethora of painted pumpkins.
“The residents obviously loved the pumpkins but they love seeing the kids more,” said Riverview Life Enrichment Director Kerri Field. “Even when we take them out on trips to the zoo, they look at the animals but they like to see the kids running around because they don’t see that very often anymore. I feel like the kids were a little standoffish, not really knowing what to expect when they came in here. But as the time went on, they just definitely felt more comfortable.”
The school was inspired to donate the pumpkins after seeing a Facebook post from a nursing home in a neighboring town asking for carved pumpkin donations. Given that providing small children with sharp carving tools might not be the safest idea, they decided to paint them instead.
Today, these vivid, colorful orbs with smiley faces, ghosts, glitter and more are proudly displayed in every resident’s room. These gifts, no matter how small, can make a big difference with the holidays around the corner…