Parade Held To Uplift Smith Crossing Residents

ORLAND PARK, IL — Several dozen vehicles were involved in a parade to uplift the residents of the Smith Crossing nursing home in Orland Park amid the coronavirus pandemic. The May 1 parade "brought joy to the staff members and residents... joy we haven't seen n a couple of weeks," Smith Crossing Executive Director Amanda Mauceri said.

Two Orland Park police cars and a Mokena Fire Protection truck were among the 75 vehicles in the parade, which came from an idea from Andrew High School National Honors Society Moderator Sandy Dirkner. Dirkner's students also drove in the parade.

A number of the cars were colorfully decorated with signs of good wishes and greetings for residents and big “thank yous” for the staff.

Mary DePaola, health life enrichment director at Smith Crossing, said the parade "brought so much happiness and joy."

"It was very amazing to see so many people turn out for our beloved residents," she said.

Mauceri said it was particularly an impressive turnout considering the parade was planned on short notice. It's just one of the things the retirement community has done to keep spirits high amid the uncertainty that coming from the pandemic.

"We are doing everything we can to uplift spirits," Mauceri said. "We promote such a vibrant lifestyle that's social, and the pandemic has taken a toll on our lifestyle."

Live feed shows, virtual exercise and yoga classes and activities taking place in residents' doorways are among the other ways Smith Crossing has kept that vibrancy during the shutdown.