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Bethlehem Catasauqua East Penn Northampton Northwestern Parkland Salisbury Whitehall-Coplay

Sharing messages of thankfulness

Published November 25. 2020 11:15AM
by

BY SAMANTHA ANDERSON

sanderson@tnonline.com

Despite a challenging year, Fellowship Community residents are remembering to look at the bright side of things and are counting their blessings this Thanksgiving season.

The retirement community, located at 3000 Fellowship Drive, Whitehall, launched a creative, collaborative project Nov. 16 called the Spirit of Gratitude Tree, according to Kelly Gould, Fellowship vice president of marketing and development.

A live, dormant Red Sunset maple tree has been placed in the reception area, and residents, visitors and staff are invited to write a reason they are thankful on a brightly colored paper leaf to hang on the tree.

“This has been a challenging year for all of us, and we’re encouraging people to focus on being grateful for simple things,” said Mary Kay McMahon, president and CEO of Fellowship Community. “Our staff has gone above and beyond doing an excellent job in keeping our residents safe and happy. I’m personally grateful for them and understand that the pandemic has brought on additional stress both here at work and at home. I’d like our staff, our residents and all visitors to pause for a moment of peace and be thankful for the blessings they have.”

According to Gould, at the end of November, the tree is expected to be planted outside. An accompanying plaque will be a constant reminder that, even during a pandemic, a spirit of gratitude is important.

In the past, the Fellowship activities department did a similar activity with a paper tree; however, in this unprecedented year, McMahon wanted a permanent reminder to be thankful for the blessings in life.

“The tree went up this morning (Nov. 16), and the response has been very positive. When you walk by it and see all of the ‘gratitude leaves,’ it picks up your spirit and brightens the day,” McMahon said.

David Schneck, a Fellowship Community resident, hung a leaf on the tree saying he was thankful to have had a place like this to live with his late wife in their later years. Other leaves mentioned everything from friends and family to faith to personal accomplishments and more.

“Fellowship Community is looking forward to filling the Spirit of Gratitude Tree with messages of thankfulness to share this holiday season,” Gould said.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Fellowship Community resident David Schneck puts a leaf on Fellowship's Spirit of Gratitude Tree, placed, for the time being, in the Whitehall retirement facility's lobby. The project began Nov. 16.
A paper leaf on Fellowship Community's Spirit of Gratitude Tree expresses gratitude for family.
A resident writes of being thankful for each day.
One resident is grateful for the ability to move around. Fellowship CEO Mary Kay McMahon wanted a permanent reminder to be thankful for the blessings in life, so a plaque will accompany the tree once it is planted outside. The plaque will serve as a constant reminder that, even during a pandemic, a spirit of gratitude is important.
The live, dormant Red Sunset maple tree, on display in the lobby for residents, visitors and staff to add their reasons for being grateful this year, is expected to be planted outside by the end of the month.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS A Fellowship Community resident expresses thankfulness for faith on a leaf placed on the Spirit of Gratitude Tree, placed in the Whitehall facility's lobby.
This leaf offers thanks for family, friends and Fellowship.