Members of the Magnolias of Chambersburg team had an opportunity to spend time with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the Cocoa Crawl at the senior living community on December 9. From left, Michele Mondi, Dining Experience Director; Autumn Stauffer LifeStages Associate; Melissa Fegan, Administrative Services Director; Alyssa Kisner Community Relations Director; Melissa Buksa Life Stages Director; and Kristine Wenrick EOO.
Vendor stations at the Cocoa Crawl.
Vendor stations at the Cocoa Crawl.
Senior Living Community Event Names ‘Snickerdoodle White Cocoa’ as Top Flavor
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Magnolias of Chambersburg senior living community residents, team members and guests raised their glasses in celebration of the season on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Those holiday mugs were filled to the brim with many flavors of hot chocolate as part of the second Cocoa Crawl held at the community at 745 Norland Avenue. Nearly a dozen local vendors, small businesses, crafters, healthcare groups and other organizations participated.
“The Cocoa Crawl provided our residents with a fun and creative way to get into the holiday spirit,” said Kristine Wenrick, Executive Operations Officer at Magnolias of Chambersburg. “We held our first Cocoa Crawl last year and built on the foundation of that event.”
A panel judged various types of cocoa drinks entered in a contest, then named winners after sampling flavors such as chocolate or vanilla peppermint crunch, cinnamon vanilla, and chocolate-covered-strawberry hot chocolate. Magnolias of Chambersburg’s own locally-known Snickerdoodle White Cocoa sponsored by Summit Diesel was voted the favorite flavor.
“Every vendor made their own specific hot chocolate and supplied a small cup for people to sample,” said Community Relations Director Alyssa Kisner. “That is the criteria to participate. Then they entered their hot cocoa into the challenge. There was a large variety of samples. There were some cocoas with spice.”
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus had guests and vendors smiling throughout the event. Quincy and Barbara Stevens of Fayetteville in Franklin County filled those roles. Donations made for photographs with Santa and Mrs. Claus benefited Little Daisy’s Closet, a Chambersburg non-profit that provides at no cost seasonal clothing, home and kitchen wares to those in need.
The outdoor event included a fire circle and music of the season. Some vendors had crafts or other gift items available.
Participants included: April Myers’ Mary Kay; Betterment Cleaning Service LLC; Claudia’s Confections; Desiree Porter Modern Scents; HealthMarkets Inc.; It’s the Little Things that Matter; Maganda Nails LLC; Missy Fegan Earrings; Renee’s Designs; Summit Diesel and Auto Care; Tiffany Myers; Visiting Angels; and Lori Young, a family member of a resident who displayed crafts.
“We had excellent support from a wide variety of vendors and participants,” said Melissa Buksa, LifeStages Director at Magnolias of Chambersburg. “We took another step toward establishing our Cocoa Crawl as an annual tradition that will be fun for residents, team members and family members.”
For more information, contact Alyssa Kisner, Community Relations Director, akisner@integracare.com or 717.264.6000.