The Knoxville Fire Department Auxiliary delivered hand-made fleece blankets to residents of long-term care facilities in Knoxville Wednesday evening. These blankets were donated by residents of Knoxville and the surrounding area, made especially for this cause. The blankets were delivered in decorated fire trucks, with members of the Knoxville Fire Department dressed in Christmas apparel. Homestead Assisted Living Activity Director Dee Swink says this was a wonderful way to cap off an incredibly challenging year.

“It’s been one of the toughest years, I’ve been here 16 years, and it’s been the toughest year I’ve had as an activity director. The smiles here tonight are very overwhelming, even for me. We had some family members here tonight. The little things that we take for granted every day, these guys seeing people, family, the horse and everything, it’s just wonderful. Just to have the littlest things happen to these residents, it means the world to them, the laughs, it’s just awesome.”

Deliveries were made to residents in Homestead Assisted Living, Westridge Specialty Care, and Accura Health Care. Stay tuned for an interview with Dee Swink on an upcoming Let’s Talk Knoxville.