Livingston Kids Bring Joy to Inglemoor with Snowmen Built Outside Windows – TAPinto.net

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Inspired by a Facebook post she noticed that read, “Cheer up nursing home residents by building snowmen outside their building,” Livingston mother Heather Amendolara immediately began recruiting other families to join hers in building snowmen outside the windows at Livingston’s Inglemoor Rehabilitation and Care Center, where her grandmother had a pleasant experience as a resident of the facility a few years ago. 

In the aftermath of Sunday’s snowfall, Amendolara’s children—first grader Dexter and seventh grader Ruby—were among nearly 20 children between the ages of three and 16 who bundled up in their warmest winter wear to spread cheer to Inglemoor residents on Sunday afternoon.

“The kids had fun,” said Amendolara, noting that half of the participating families were friends of hers while others she had never met before. “It was a great place to play and make new friends safely outdoors during this challenging time…Some kids also went window waving to say ‘hi.'”

According to Inglemoor employee Denise, the residents enjoyed playing in the snow and working hard to build the figures on their behalf. Because they weren’t able to see inside the windows as they waved to the residents, Amendolara said the children were thrilled to hear such positive feedback. 

In addition to serving as an educator at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland, Amendolara has also volunteered locally for Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) school activities as well as environmental events. Despite her lengthy history of volunteerism, the local mom said that Sunday’s snowman-building initiative as “the easiest organizing [she has] ever experienced.”

“The day was gorgeous, and families were generous with their time,” she said. “I would gladly post the invitation again.”

Amendolara added that this project was a perfect combination of a good deed and healthy fun for the kids, noting that she, as an educator at the Essex County Environmental Center, “knows the significance of outdoor play and the challenges of making outdoor play meaningful.”

As she recalled the founder of her son’s pre-kindergarten program stating that she wanted to “build a facility with three wings: an elderly facility, a pre-school and an artist colony all in one location,” Amendolara said the group “covered those inspirational bases” on Sunday with the snowman-building initiative. 

With more snow in the forecast, Amendolara said she plans to continue the initiative—improving upon the activity by bringing hot chocolate to help the kids warm up during the building process. Others are encouraged to do the same at long-term care facilities throughout the community.