The Tim D. Lee Senior Center off Sandy Plains Rd. in Marietta is closed due to Covid-19. However, it remains closed for another reason. Extensive renovations are under way and the massive remodeling project won't be completed until early next year.
Normally, many Cobb County Senior Citizens enjoy the various activities offered at the Senior Center. Plus, the Senior Center is the regular meeting place for the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K.
Despite these situations, a plan was hatched whereby the exterior area of the Senior Center could still be used for a special Holiday celebration. At the same time, it was most imperative that the Holiday celebration comply with current local and state Covid-19 safety restrictions.
Donna Kibbe, Program Coordinator and Viktoria Mihan, Program Specialists, both veteran staff members of the Senior Center came up with an idea that provided a Holiday celebration for Seniors and at the same time became the first ever “drive-by” Holiday Season Celebration at the center!
Donna and Viktoria are members of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K, so they reached out to Margy Rodgers, President of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K and asked if the club would help out …. and help they did!
The “drive by” seniors were treated to … not one … not two...but three Santas played by Billy Rodgers of the Kiwanis Club of Lost mountain, Johnny Johnson of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K and Kris Komuda of Holbrook Life. Also, Gene Schumacher, member of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K volunteered his vintage “red” pickup truck, which was decorated for the holiday occasion and included an 8 foot Christmas tree in the bed. A large Christmas wreath was attached to the hood and Christmas packages were arranged at the front of the truck.
In addition, each “drive by” car was treated to a “Holiday Goodie” bag as they slowly passed along.
A number of stations were set up by organizations like Atherton Place; United Military Care; Heritage of Sandy Plains; Humana; Mays, Ward and Dobbins Funeral Home, and Holbrook Life throughout the parking lot. When cars pulled up to the decorated “Santa” pickup truck they were serenaded by the CHRIST Chruch Kennesaw Hanbell Choir. The chime ringers were: Erica Anderson, Deb Gerace and Susan Self.
It proved to be a most wonderful time of the year. One senior driver shouted out “I wish we could do this every year!”
No one knows for sure when the Covid-19 pandemic will be over but everyone is confident that there will be another holiday celebration next year. Hopefully, things will be back to normal!
Photography special to Marietta Talks.
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