FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Putting the sparkle in the holidays for seniors this season, The Windsor of Palm Coast hosted their 14th annual Festival of Wreaths to the delight of residents.
Spending a week decorating the assisted living facility, residents’ doors were adorned with more than 100 beautifully crafted wreaths donated by the community. From flowers to football, everything imaginable was lovingly tied, fastened or hot glued to an ornate wreath.
Coordinator Niki O’Brien carefully selected wreaths to correspond to the tastes of her residents, and they were able to bid on the wreaths to keep.
“I’ve been here for 11 years, and I love this event and I love working with the humane society,” O’Brien said.
“I think the first year we started we had like 25 wreaths. I think this year we had over 130. It’s from everybody we work with, from doctor’s offices to local restaurants to just very generous, crafty individuals who want to give to an amazing cause. It’s so fun seeing how creative people get with this process.”
“The humane society is the heart of this community. I love working with them and will continue to do so,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien invited the Flagler County Humane Society to become the recipient of the wreath sales several years ago, and in a tight economy, every dollar is welcome according to Amy Carotenuto, who serves as director of the humane society.
“This is part of our budget, it keeps us going,” said Carotenuto. “Of course, you know everything is so expensive now.”
“We see them from groups all over the community. We had a florist donate nine from her shop, we have a nurses group that donates every year,” added Lynn Myers, the volunteer and donation coordinator for the Flagler Humane Society who helped rally Flagler’s craftiest wreath makers to participate.
“I have donated to the humane society and volunteered in the thrift store before and this is the first year I have not made wreaths for here,” said Sherrie Thompson. “I was busy with garden club. So, I decided even though I have six wreaths from here and some I’ve given away, I had to at least buy one today. And this other one I’m giving away to a neighbor.”
The holiday wreath bidding war netted more than $3,000 for the area’s shelter, and winners like Julie Guimond, left with more than one wreath in support of a great cause.
“I like wreaths, people’s creations and the artistry of it so I decided to come here today. This spoke to me so I bought this one because I live at the beach,” said Tricia Redd of her coastal themed wreath.
“I was surprised at how cleverly it was set up, putting wreaths on everybody’s door like that so it was easy to look at. I was impressed with that and all the artistry. And it benefits the humane society.”
