The tables were covered in red, live music and the entire day spent in a Christmas atmosphere: Huize Odoorn Day Care ensured that all clients could celebrate Christmas in advance with a special dinner.
“We organized this evening because December feels like a charged month, and there is a bit of loneliness involved. People are dreading Christmas and we hope to give them some kind of bright spot in this way,” explains owner Geke Rengers.
Last night, a group of about sixty seniors were spoiled with a real three-course dinner by the day care center. “We just had a delicious vegetable soup and the main course is beef roulade, which is delicious,” says Mr Snijders.
During the meal, songs were sung by singer Annemiek Drenth, allowing the clients to reminisce about memories of the past. “I love music, but I have to listen to it. I especially think ‘Guardian Angel’ is a very beautiful song,” says Snijders with a smile on his face. Yet another client, Mr. Geraets, prefers to sing along at the top of his lungs. “Those songs have a very special meaning to me,” he says.
“I always come in here whistling and leave whistling,” says Geraets. He has been through a lot in his life and comes to day care to let his wife catch her breath. “I am paralyzed on the left side due to a brain haemorrhage, but I am not sad about this. I remain cheerful thanks to my wife, children and grandchildren. Because I have been through so much, Huize Odoorn is a special place for me.” Geraets has made many friendships at daycare and is happy that he can spend Christmas with them in this way.
As icing on the cake, Mayor Jan Seton came to help with the cooking. “This target group has a lot of respect for the mayor, they look up to him enormously. The moment he walked in you saw everyone beaming,” says Rengers.
The mayor was dessert chef. “I’m in charge of the desserts, I can help serve it and I eat along with you. The purpose of the evening is to have fun with each other, relax, have a good meal and of course have a photo with the mayor,” says Seton. And having your picture taken with the mayor seemed to be one of the most important tasks of the evening. Rengers calls it “worth repeating”.