The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority brought Christmas cheer to a dozen senior citizens residing at the Joseph E. James Terrace in what has become an annual tradition of sharing time and love.
On Sunday more than a dozen sorority sisters took time out of their holiday schedules to spend time with and show the residents at the V. I. Housing apartments they care about them by hosting a party.
“It is nice they think of us and come here to have fun with us,” Olive Appleton, a resident said.
Martha Edwards, a charter member of the sorority and co-chair of the social action committee, said the sisters have been celebrating and sharing the joy of Christmas with senior citizens the past eight years.
“Senior citizens are neglected to some extent on St. Croix,” Edwards said. ”Our sorority is dedicated to doing outreach and spending time with the seniors is part of that outreach.”
The sisters’ outreach goes beyond seniors to mentoring girls from 11 to 14 years of age in the Delta Academy and 14 to 18 year olds from Complex and Central High Schools in the Delta Gems.
The girls were at the activity center at the home volunteering along side the sorority sisters. They helped decorate the tree, serve refreshments and hand out tickets to the seniors for gifts.
“I feel good being able to help with the senior citizens,” Stacey Papin, a Gem from Complex said.
“It is a good way for me to give back to the community.”
Everyone joined in the singing of traditional Christmas Carols, with Yvonne Westerman on the keyboard. The senior citizens knew the words by heart, singing songs such as “Joy to the World” at the top of their lungs.
Each senior went home with a gift bag full of personal items such as denture cream and hand sanitizer.
Jean Canton, a 30-year member of the sorority, said she really looks forward to spending the day celebrating with the seniors.
“I love to talk with them and hear about the old celebrations,” Canton said.
“Share the love – that’s what Christmas is about,” Shelby King Gaddy, president of the sorority, said in her Christmas prayer at the celebration.
