Christmas cheer shared through music

One resident said she enjoyed the choir's company.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Joe Stillana's favorite Christmas carol is "Silent Night."
It reminds him of church.
Sabrena Earvin likes to sing "Holly Jolly Christmas."
Both were part of a group from the Mahoning County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities who visited Windsor House Inc.'s Guardian Health Care Center on Tuesday to sing carols to residents.
Stillana is part of the MRDD senior citizen choir. Sabrena is a member of the Leonard Kirtz School choir of school-age children.
Stillana said he likes the songs and coming to the nursing home because "it makes them happy." Sabrena said it's a special part of Christmas.
Both choir members and Guardian residents wore hats -- some like Santa's, others with jingle bells and some that were elfish. Some shook jingle bells or red pompons.
Resident Annie Casper called the singing wonderful.
"I enjoyed it very much," added Eva Williams, saying her favorite song was "Jolly, Jolly Santa Claus" but that "all of them were very nice."
"I'm happy to have lots of company," she said.
Beneficial for all
Choir director Senna Kerr said the program is mutually beneficial.
"It shows the community a little bit about our program and lets the kids come out and socialize," she said.
Janine Miely, center activity director, said residents enjoy having groups come in.
"It makes them healthier," she said. "And you see a lot of smiles on their faces."
Miely said she met the choir years ago when she worked at the YMCA in Youngstown.
"Look at what they do," she said. "How could you not love them? I think it's great for the residents here to see. It doesn't matter what kind of person you are. It's just the love you can give."
viviano@vindy.com