On December 18, the sounds of laughter, conversation and festive cheer filled the grounds of the Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home, a welcome change for residents who, for one afternoon, were reminded that they are neither forgotten nor alone.
Management and staff of Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa and Serenity at Coconut Bay spent the day with the elderly residents, sharing a hot meal, entertainment and, most importantly, genuine human connection. It was an initiative driven not by obligation, but by a deep sense of community responsibility.
General Manager of Coconut Bay and Serenity, John Miles, said the resort has formally adopted Comfort Bay and has made it a point to support the home year-round. “We have adopted Comfort Bay, and our team comes down every month. We do the lawns, we do the gardens, and we try to beautify the community,” Miles explained. “But Christmas is the time of giving. This year we said it wasn’t just about dropping off gifts, it was about interacting with the elders, feeding them and making sure this festive season is one they will never forget.”
Miles noted that the initiative reflects the philosophy of the resort’s leadership, where giving back to the community is not seasonal, but a core value. “This is something our chairman, Mr Hendrickson, truly believes in,” he said. “If this is what our owner wants, giving back to the community, then as an entity, we have to jump on board. There are so many people who are not as fortunate as we are, especially our elders, and they need us to care a little more.”
Beyond Comfort Bay, the resort’s outreach extends into vulnerable communities across the island. Just days before the visit, Coconut Bay and Serenity distributed 34 food and care packages to individuals living alone and unable to work, ensuring they had enough supplies to carry them through the Christmas season. The resort has also adopted ABC Funhouse, where staff recently hosted a Christmas tree celebration for children.
Manager of the Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home, Nadia St Ange, warmly welcomed the initiative, describing it as both meaningful and deeply appreciated by residents. “This initiative started before COVID, then paused, and now it has resumed,” St Ange said. “We are happy they remembered and came back to continue bringing entertainment, fun and interaction to the residents.”
She said the impact goes far beyond a single meal. “It reminds the residents that they have not been forgotten, that people from the community come to laugh with them and remind them that this season is about cheer, giving, sharing and togetherness,” she said.
St Ange also praised Coconut Bay for its long-standing partnership with the home, noting that the resort regularly assists with maintenance, equipment and urgent needs. “They maintain our environment, they’ve given us televisions, and whenever we need help, they are there,” she said. “Sometimes there are delays through official processes, but with Coconut Bay, one call is made and they respond.”
Comfort Bay currently houses approximately 30 residents, individuals whose lives are often shaped by routine and quiet days. On December 18, however, that routine was broken by warmth, music and the simple dignity of being seen.
