Senior living residents host holiday bazaar

Residents of The Glades at ChampionsGate, an independent, assisted living and memory care community in ChampionsGate, came together to plan and host a holiday bazaar at the senior living community on December 10. The bazaar, which featured art and crafts made by residents and local purveyors raised more than $3,600. Residents plan to donate the funds to a worthy cause.

Resident Jan Lund planned the holiday bazaar for the second year. Lund said the idea came to her after the community hosted a swap and shop. One of her neighbors brought an arm full of crafts to sell, which gave her the idea to plan a dedicated craft fair.

“I have never been a crafter and never planned a craft show, but I saw a need and everything just kind of fell into place,” said Lund. “I was looking for a way to get involved in the community and there it was. Last year was our first year and it was amazing. This year was even better.”

In addition to planning the bazaar, Lund tried her hand at making a craft this year. She made 12 Christmas trees from materials purchased at the local Dollar Tree. Other residents made wreaths and holiday-themed figurines. While local artisans also sold items such as luminaries and stockings.

Lund also found a way to get less-crafty residents involved.

“I assigned a volunteer to each vendor to help them unpack and sticker items and they stayed at the booth all day as a second set of hands,” said Lund. “At the end of the day, new friendships were formed and residents were exchanging phone numbers.”

For only the second year hosting this event, Lund said it was a huge success. And next year should be even better.

About The Glades at ChampionsGate

Located in ChampionsGate, Fla., The Glades at Champions Gate is a 223-apartment independent, assisted living and memory care community located at 8400 Champions Gate Blvd. Amenities include a fitness center, movie theater, swimming pool, and four unique dining venues, as well as award-winning programming through Watermark University. Managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, The Glades at ChampionsGate is committed to creating an extraordinary and innovative community where people thrive. For more information, visit https://championsgate.watermarkcommunities.com.

About Watermark Retirement Communities®

Watermark creates extraordinary and innovative communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute and published on Fortune.com. A privately held company with a reputation for over 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, Watermark manages more than 70 retirement communities in 22 states coast to coast. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is ranked as the nation’s 9th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.