By Heidi Stone
Editor’s Note: When the March 16 shelter-in-place order was issued to slow the spread of the contagious coronavirus COVID-19, visitors were prohibited at the county’s seven skilled nursing facilities. On May 18, after a drive-by salute to the nurses and the staff at Pacific Coast Manor in Capitola, the staff worked with Capitola Police Lt. Leo Moreno to make a drive-by celebration possible for patients so they could once again see their loved ones.
•••
In these difficult times we’re living through, most of us at least have the opportunity of sheltering in place with our loved ones and families.
For many who are in a skilled nursing facility, the staff becomes their extended families.
A patient at Pacific Coast Manor waves to a family member who waves back.
I would like to share with you an incredibly beautiful afternoon of memories that were made at our local skilled nursing facility, Pacific Coast Manor.
Pacific Coast Manor created a day I’m sure won’t soon be forgotten for their residents, family members and staff. Words could not express the emotion of everyone who shared in the moments of this event.
The team at Pacific Coast Manor came together to create a magical day for their residents by inviting their loved ones to participate in an organized caravan drive by.
Residents and staff created signs as did the excited family members who awaited the drive with anticipation. The Capitola Police Department helped with the planning by blocking off streets and holding traffic so we could drive through without interruption.
One of 36 cars in the drive-by celebration, a family brings a message of love.
Many pictures and videos were taken that day, but I’m sure the memories we each took away will stay with us for a long time to come.
We feel it’s so important especially now to get these uplifting and beautiful moments shared with as many people as possible. Although we can’t touch in or hug in real time, we can touch hearts with these types of acts of kindness and community support you can see from our staff and caregivers, to our local police department.
•••
Heidi Stone is regional director, Business Development Bay Area, for Covenant Care, which owns Pacific Coast Manor.