The toy donation box at NuVista Living in Wellington is overflowing with gifts for less-fortunate children thanks to a very successful drive to support Toys for Tots.
Dozens of gifts have been left by staff members, residents and family members of residents, and a large donation came in Monday from the office of owner Paul Walczak.
According to NuVista Lifestyle Director Pamela Collins, when Walczak’s assistant Janet Bradley dropped by with a carload of gifts to brighten the smiles of children this holiday season, the facility’s two large Toys for Tots drop boxes were completely filled.
“The building has been here for four years, and Paul makes a huge donation every year to Toys for Tots,” Collins said.
Walczak has been involved with Toys for Tots since 2001. “It represents a significant opportunity to brighten the lives of many children who may be less fortunate this time of year,” he said. “We recognize our community stewardship to be thankful and sharing in our successes.”
Filling the box with toys has become a tradition at NuVista, an assisted living and rehabilitation facility located near the Mall at Wellington Green.
“We set the box out a few weeks ago, and the employees, the residents and their visitors have been donating,” Collins said.
School groups often visit NuVista and have made positive comments about the box.
“We’re a community-based building here, so it’s been nice for everyone who walks in and sees it. We’re giving back to the community,” Collins said.
The patients are also pleased to be involved. “We try to pride ourselves on our whole culture inside the building of being very positive, looking out for the community, giving back all the time, being healthy,” she explained. “We try to promote love and giving back.”
Setting a good example, and helping others, is why Walczak has been so dedicated to Toys for Tots.
“NuVista is a place of life, and nothing represents life greater than our children,” he said. “We all want to see the smiles and joy of the holiday season, and the U.S. Marine Corps’ commitment to this longstanding program is an example that we should all follow. Plus, we have a lot of grandparents who move through NuVista on a daily basis, and we know the power of the child’s smile.”
Father of three children, Walczak said that he loves giving other children a better, brighter holiday season through donating gifts.
“Nothing is more satisfying and rewarding than the power of the next generation; our children are our future,” he said, adding that NuVista is committed to the Toys for Tots organization and will continue to support it.
NuVista Living, Collins explained, is a new way of providing healthcare through assisted living and short-term rehabilitation, and the company’s new Jupiter facility will offer memory care.
“We want it to be dignified. We want it to be happy here. Once a week we have music. We have coloring,” Collins said. “It’s all about promoting a healthy lifestyle.”
If a patient has had knee or hip surgery, and is coming out of the hospital, he or she can come to NuVista Living. The usual rehabilitation stay, Collins explained, is two weeks. Patients are taught how to climb stairs and go about their daily activities without harming their stitches.
To learn more about NuVista Living, call (561) 795-3360 or visit www.nvliving.com. To donate a toy to Toys for Tots this holiday season, visit www.toysfortots.org to find a convenient drop-off location.
ABOVE: Pamela Collins and Janet Bradley with NuVista’s donation boxes.
