Adopt A Grandparent Program Brings Smiles To Seniors In Stafford

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The new “Adopt A Grandparent” program at the Residence at Stafford Assisted Living Facility hopes to get balloons in the hand of every senior resident for Valentine’s Day.

The Residence at Stafford has partnered with Celebration Creations, a balloon decorating service based in Manahawkin, to present every resident with a vibrant balloon bouquet of smiley faces, hearts and floral balloons.

The volunteer effort is in need of sponsors to adopt each resident and contribute to the cost of balloon bouquets.

Stephanie Cofield, the owner of Celebration Creations, is part of a national network of balloon artists participating in the "Adopt A Grandparent" movement. Cofield said the effort aims to brighten the days of seniors who are still experiencing isolation during the pandemic.

“We try to figure out ways our businesses could go beyond being a business, but serve people in the community,” Cofield said. “We’ve found that balloons somehow brighten their day, particularly people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s.”

Cofield is seeking sponsorship from individuals as well as businesses to participate. More information about the program and how to become a sponsor can be found here.

Cofield is starting the program at the Residence at Stafford and plans to spread the program to other nursing homes throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties. The program will continue through May until the cold weather lets up.

“People are still not able to get inside to see their families,” she said. “This is a way that we’re hoping to brighten their day when they can’t see their families.”

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email kimberlee.bongard@patch.com.