(Courtesy of Daughters of Miriam) Lucky seniors at Daughters of Miriam Center were gifted cheery Balloon Buddies on February 10 as part of the “Smiles for Seniors” campaign by Inflated Creations of Passaic. Since social distancing and restricted visitation are still in effect at the Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing homes residents have been at risk for depression due to their feelings of isolation. Community organizations and individuals have sprung into action to help these secluded seniors connect with the outside world and to send messages of care.
When New Jersey virtually shut down in early March 2020 due to the State of Emergency decree by Governor Murphy, local community members stepped up to show the nursing home residents and frontline healthcare workers at the Center that they were not alone in this crisis. Card-writing campaigns were begun in schools and by individuals who sent or brought handwritten cards for all of the residents. Gifts of food, flowering plants and much-needed items such as bottles of hand sanitizers, face masks and hospital gowns were delivered to the Center by local restaurants, families, school groups and even representatives of a local children’s soccer team.
Similarly, Balloon Buddies is part of a national “adopt a grandparent” campaign that balloon artists around the country started so lonely seniors knew they were in everyone’s minds and hearts. These two-foot high balloon sculptures were donated by Debby Levi, co-owner of Passaic balloon décor company Inflated Creations and distributed by the Center’s Activities staff to over two dozen residents whose rooms were brightened up by the table-top balloon creations.
The “Smiles for Seniors” campaign by Inflated Creations aims to put a Balloon Buddy in every Daughters of Miriam Center’s room. With the campaign begun only a few weeks ago, less than a quarter of the 154 residents were gifted balloons; however, the hope is that sponsorships will continue to come in from the community so that all of the Center’s seniors would benefit from this outpouring of love and care.
“We wanted to do something tangible for the residents at the Center because we know how isolated they must be feeling after all of these months,” said Levi. “Daughters of Miriam Center cares for the seniors from our local area. so we are really happy that we could do something positive for them.” Balloon Buddy sponsorship information can be found on their website at www.inflatedcreations.com.
Debby Levi and Judy Levi began decorating parties 30 years ago, starting their business as two mothers of small children and eventually expanding their services throughout the tri-state area. Both are Certified Balloon Artists who specialize in decorating for private parties as well as large corporate events.
