Community asked to help lift spirits of nursing home residents

On August 21, Bledsoe County Nursing Home is celebrating National Senior Center Day with a community drive-by parade for the residents. The residents will be seated outside so they can enjoy a parade featuring family and friends, along with community businesses and officials showing their support during these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The residents love bright, colorful displays, so everyone participating is asked to decorate their vehicles with signs, balloons and banners for them to see and enjoy.

“We ask for no floats because they parade may be traveling on the bypass and floats are not allowed there,” said Sharla Harris, event coordinator. “We also would like to encourage all businesses, services, utilities, State and local employees to join in and represent your name.”

During the event, CDC guidelines and rules will be practiced with personal protection for residents and social distancing between them.

“We will not be allowing anyone to be out of their vehicles to be around the residents,” noted Harris. “These rules and guidelines are for the protection of our residents.”

To participate in the parade, please gather and line up at the new Omni Rehab building located at 366 Cleveland Avenue in Pikeville, around 9:00 a.m. Organizers will start lining up for the parade which starts at 10:00 a.m. In case of rain, the event will be moved to a new date to be announced.

“We want to thank everyone in advance for supporting our residents and staff at the Bledsoe County Nursing Home and for everyone that has helped to organize this wonderful event for the residents,” said Harris.

For more information contact Harris, activities director, at (423) 447-9207 or Sue Trujillo, D.O.N. at (423) 447-5354.