Wellington North family making Christmas brighter for local seniors

WELLINGTON NORTH – A local family is making plans to make Christmas brighter for some seniors here.

Kenilworth area residents Crystal and Shawn Lazenby, and their six children, ranging in age from 11 to 18, won’t be exchanging presents this Christmas.

Instead, they’ll be packing stockings for residents of Birmingham Retirement Community, where Crystal has worked as a PSW (personal support worker) since April.

“I asked the girls what they wanted this year and they wanted to give back,” Crystal explained.

“So they know that I’ve been working crazy hours at the Birmingham retirement home and they knew that we’re in lockdown right now and they wanted to give back to the elderly for Christmas because they’re not going to have such a big Christmas due to COVID-19.”

She added, “They wanted to fill up a stocking for each of the seniors this year. So that’s what we’re doing … Kudos to them.”

The stockings are being filled with items like shaving cream and razors, body washes and other items, chocolate or alternatives, based on a list for nearly 80 residents provided by the retirement facility.

Crystal said she feels her children will always remember this Christmas as a special one.

“It’s not all about receiving. It’s about giving as well,” she said.

“The kids totally understand that and I think they are doing a great job.”