By Theresa Churchill
Herald & Review
DECATUR – Signs posted on entrances to Symphony of Decatur ask visitors to stay away if they are ill.
So 10 representatives of the Macon County Corrections Division spread nothing but smiles Tuesday afternoon as they gave each resident of the nursing home a fleece blanket to conclude the department’s first-ever “Blanket of Hugs” drive.
Sgt. Jerdean Meeks and Corrections Officer Sandra Cole came up with the idea as an alternative to participating with sheriff’s deputies on the annual “Shop with a Sheriff” activity. “So much is done for kids,” Meeks said. “The elderly are always getting left out.”
Corrections Officer Marvin Goforth took charge and said giving snowballed outside the 70-member corrections division to involve other county employees, including those in the circuit clerk’s office and in the Records Division of the sheriff’s office, plus members of the community.
Officers gave away about 140 blankets Dec. 11 at Aperion Care Decatur and 180 Tuesday to Symphony of Decatur, stopping in the dining room during the facility’s Christmas party before heading upstairs to deliver to residents in their rooms.
Santa Claus, aka dietary aide Russell Hewkin, made himself scarce when he saw Corrections Officer David Williams, also dressed as St. Nick. After inheriting the costume from his late father, Dave Stukins Sr., Williams was playing Santa for the first time.
“He’s got the belly for it,” joked Corrections Officer Clayton Barrows, who was also out of uniform because he’d come on his day off to pass out blankets with his teenage daughter and son so they could experience the Christmas spirit, too.
Other officers who helped with the delivery included John Mayer, Tom Mounce, Mike Nelson and Cpl. Randy West.
Corrections Officer Corey Maloney’s enthusiasm was especially infectious as he offered residents their choice of blankets. Rebecca Ward, 70, selected one with an owl pattern because she thought it was pretty. “This is so kind,” she said.
Jack Sutherland, 73, president of Symphony’s resident council, had to agree.
“They keep it nice and warm in here, but it doesn’t hurt to have an extra blanket,” he said. “We appreciate it very much.”