Members of The Wesl
Volunteers fill gift bags just prior to Christmas to be distributed to residents of The Wesley Community
The inaugural Adopt a Grandparent program, launched by Impressions of Saratoga, provides gifts for residents without family at The Wesley Community. Members of Wesley’s Life Enrichment team prepared the gift bags and coordinated with Impressions of Saratoga on the selection of gifts
ey Community – a 37-acre senior living campus with more than 700 residents in Saratoga Springs – are enjoying a happier holiday season thanks to the thoughtfulness of two local boutique gift shop co-owners and the generosity of the greater Saratoga Springs community.
The inaugural Adopt a Grandparent program was launched on Black Friday, Nov. 24, as part of a holiday giving campaign by Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile Co-Owners Maddy Zanetti and Marianne Barker. Shoppers of both stores purchased and personalized $20 gift tags through Dec. 17 that were used to buy gifts for residents of the Wesley Community. As many as 400 gift tags were purchased, making it possible to provide every resident with a gift.
Holiday gift bags were distributed during Hanukkah and just prior to Christmas. Wesley’s Life Enrichment team coordinated with Zanetti and Barker on the selection of gifts. The pet-friendly shops in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs carry a curated selection of gifts, garments, and memorabilia. Both embrace the equestrian lifestyle with friendly customer service.
“The Wesley Community is exceptionally grateful for the opportunity to have partnered with the owners of Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile as recipients of their inaugural Adopt a Grandparent initiative,” said Eileen Nash, director of Development and Communication for the Wesley Community. “We’ve received heartwarming feedback from our residents who have benefitted from this program and it is clear that these gifts have added to their enjoyment of the holiday season.”
Zanetti, whose grandmother and great-grandmother called Wesley home in their later years, found it personally gratifying to partner with the retirement community.
“We are thrilled to have received such a positive response to our first holiday giving campaign,” Zanetti said. “It was wonderful to see the outpouring of generosity from friends, neighbors, and strangers, who helped make the season brighter for those who can’t celebrate the holidays with family.”
Going forward, Zanetti and Barker said they plan to offer the Adopt a Grandparent program annually.