Special delivery of holiday cheer

“Little Joe” Williams, a client at Aspire at Arbor Springs Health Care and Rehabilitation, displays a personalized Christmas card made by students at Capstone Academy and Preschool in Ocala, with the school’s principal and founder Zandra Singh, on Dec. 21, 2023. Joining a lunchtime gathering was Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano, at left in background. [Andy Fillmore]

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Posted December 22, 2023 | By Andy Fillmore, andy@ocalagazette.com

Residents and clients at a health care and rehabilitation center were treated to some Christmas cheer on Dec. 21, courtesy of the third and fourth grade students at Capstone Academy and Preschool of Ocala.

Laura Brundige, a resident at Aspire at Arbor Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in southeast Ocala, was happy to get one of the Christmas cards with a handwritten personalized message: “Dear Laura Brundige: Wishing joy to your world and peace to your heart, from Ariana.”

Brundige, 58, has been in the facility for several months since suffering health complications including pneumonia and a heart ailment. She said the sentiment in the card was very much appreciated because she doesn’t have family.

The students wrote the residents’ names on the envelops and inside the cards, along with seasonal messages. The cards were delivered Thursday by Zandra Singh, the principal and founder of the 180-student Capstone Academy and Preschool, located on Southwest 60th Avenue. Singh connected with Arbor Springs through the facility’s administrator, Simon Marquez, who has a child in the school. Singh said the cards were in part aimed at those who “may not have someone” to visit or write them this Christmas season.

“(The students) put their hearts into them,” Singh said.

Students at Belleview Middle School also made small Christmas ornaments to give to residents, according to a facility employee.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano joined a lunchtime gathering in a central room of the skilled nursing sub-acute facility, where cards were given to residents including “Little Joe” Williams, 49.

Williams was struck by a vehicle while walking on U.S. Highway 441 and suffered multiple injuries, including a broken neck and said he “died” following the crash. He said he had a vision during his treatment that a family member told him it “wasn’t time” for him to die and he was revived. His card read: “Dear Joe Williams, Blessings to you this holiday season, Gabriel.”

“Nice,” Williams said about the card.

Kevin Otero, 36, who shared a table with Williams, said he liked his Christmas card.

Troy Long, 34, is undergoing rehabilitation at the facility for paralyzing injuries suffered in an automobile crash. He said the card definitely raised his “joy level.”

Mary Thornton, 71, received a card that read, “Dear Mary Thornton: Wishing you hope, peace, joy and love as you celebrate the holiday,” Amelia.

Donna Hufnagel, 79, had a card that read, “Dear. Mrs. Hufnagel, Blessings to you this holiday season,” Hadi.

Lourdes Soto, facility social worker and her assistant, Chelsie Joice, were on hand to assist. Joice said events like the card distribution are uplifting for the residents.

Marquez said Aspire Health Care has 56 locations from Pensacola to West Palm Beach. The company has operated the facility in Ocala for about a month. He said he knows each patient by name and the facility offers short- and long-term care and five-day “caregiver break” stays can be arranged.

Rose Jenkins, RN and director of nursing, said a total of 126 Christmas cards would be distributed, including to residents at the adjacent long-term care facility.

Jenkins said the residents were “very appreciative (and) very happy” to get the Christmas greetings.