In 1997 the McIntosh Trail Ombudsman Program
began a Christmas luncheon for Residents from group homes serving the mental health and developmental
disability population, providing a fun event promoting community interactivity. A
covered dish luncheon was held with about 25 Residents and staff attending.
The Winter Holiday luncheon has grown over the past eleven years to a sit down luncheon covering all seven counties serving
some 170 participants.
Each year, the residents enjoy a great meal
and enthusiastically dance to music provided by an area disc jockey. Santa
Claus is a regular and significant guest at the luncheon and has a small gift for each participant. He visits with each Resident, listening intently to each request for Christmas.
Many
Residents have known each other for years and this event is also a great way for them to reconnect. It is an event the participants look forward to all year. Resident
Harriet Fambro, a CP Resident, summed it up in a recent interview, "This is a fun event we can attend with old and new friends,
have fun and not be stared at because of our disabilities"