Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne Spreads Holiday Cheer Through Secret Santa Tradition 

At Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne senior living community, the holidays come with an extra dose of kindness thanks to a staff-led Secret Santa program that ensures every resident receives a thoughtful gift. 

The program includes residents in assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term skilled care, making sure no one is overlooked. 

The Secret Santa tradition was created with a simple goal in mind. “We wanted to make sure every resident receives an extra bit of attention and holiday cheer,” said Amber Hadley, activity director at Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne. 

Staff participation in the program is completely voluntary, and enthusiasm is high. Staff members often begin asking Hadley as early as November when the list of residents will be posted. Many choose residents they already know and enjoy thoughtfully selecting items they are confident the recipient will love. When they are unsure of a resident’s preferences, staff often take time during their shifts to learn more, looking for hints that might help them choose something that will truly make that resident happy. 

Hadley noted that year after year, every single resident is spoken for, a reflection of the strong culture of compassion among the Heritage Pointe team. 

“It is hard to tell who enjoys this more,” Hadley said. “The staff loves picking out gifts, and the residents are always so happy when they receive them.” 

Residents are surprised with a wide variety of gifts, including blankets, lotions, chocolates, pajamas, shirts, slippers, perfumes and cologne, jewelry, and more. The gifts are selected with care, reflecting the thoughtfulness behind the program. 

The Secret Santa program has become a meaningful holiday tradition that brings joy, connection, and a reminder that every resident matters, especially during the most festive time of the year. 

Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne  

Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne is conveniently located just off Interstate 469. The senior living community is on a beautiful campus featuring scenic trails, a community garden, four lakes, a community clubhouse, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and more. Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne offers vibrant independent living in freestanding villas. Assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, and long-term skilled care are provided on the same campus, thus offering a complete continuum of care, also known as Life Plan. Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne is owned and operated by The United Methodist Memorial Home, an Indiana non-profit founded in 1907. To learn more about Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne, visit www.LifeAtHeritage.org.