What began as a simple question in 2014—“Why isn’t there a holiday celebration for residents and their families?”—has blossomed into a cherished tradition at 98ɫ����'s Garfield Neurobehavioral Center (NBC). For ten years, staff have transformed their facility into a celebratory space where residents, families, and team members come together for an elegant evening of connection.

The annual celebration requires months of dedicated preparation. Staff members collaborate to create a complete experience:

• The dietary team and program administrator, Craig Danby, develops and prepares a four-course, sit-down meal featuring dishes like prime rib, salmon with asparagus, blueberry salad, and cheesecake.

• Social worker Shannon Hugon, Office Coordinator Angelica Moreno, CNAs, and other staff help residents prepare by pressing outfits, styling hair, and applying makeup.

• The facility undergoes careful decoration to match each year’s unique theme with the help of the Director of Nursing, Josie Sapie.

• A special program includes entertainment, resident interviews about the meaning of the holidays, and the exciting crowning of a king and queen.

“Seeing the smiles on residents’ faces is very rewarding,” shares one staff member. “To see them so happy and enjoying themselves makes all the hard work worth it.”

The event has evolved significantly over the years. What started as an indoor gathering with a chocolate fountain has become a more sophisticated outdoor affair that accommodates more participants. Families travel from as far as Sacramento to attend, and those unable to visit receive photos of their loved ones enjoying the festivities.

Program administrator Craig Danby expresses pride in providing “residents a good quality of life” through this special tradition. Staff notes that the anticipation of the event creates positive energy throughout the facility, with behavioral incidents noticeably declining as excitement builds.

The celebration represents 98ɫ����'s commitment to building community—connecting residents with their families, case managers, conservators, county representatives, and corporate leadership in a meaningful shared experience.