Aurora collegians celebrate holiday with McAuley residents

Posted December 25, 2018 10:00 pm

Submitted by Aurora University

Oswego resident Ashly Stotler, second from right, helps a resident craft a Christmas stocking at Presence McAuley Manor in Aurora. AU students assisting from left are Jordan Hansen, Sugar Grove; Jessica DeVries, Peoria; Stotler and Sadie Jones, Bradley. Courtesy of Al Benson

Aurora University students shared holiday cheer with Aurora senior citizens Thursday, Dec. 6. AU students brought a yule party to residents of Presence McAuley Manor, a long-term care facility in Aurora.

The celebration was Mu Sigma Pi prehealth-professions fraternity's annual community holiday party.

Activities included crafting personal Christmas stockings, singing carols and playing a holiday-themed spelling game.

AU biology professor and North Aurora resident John Lloyd donned a Santa costume to lead the university delegation.

Student volunteers were Jordan Hansen, Sugar Grove; Ashly Stotler, Oswego; Sadie Jones, Bradley; and Jessica DeVries, Peoria.

Lloyd said he holds several community-outreach activities annually to acquaint college students with local seniors.

Santa, portrayed by North Aurora resident John Lloyd, greets a resident at Presence McAuley Manor in Aurora. Lloyd, an AU biology professor, led AU science students who held a holiday party for residents of McAuley. Courtesy of Al Benson

Sugar Grove resident Jordan Hansen, standing left, joins Aurora University students in a spelling game during a Christmas party at Presence McAuley Manor in Aurora. From left are Hansen, Jessica DeVries, Peoria; Ashly Stotler, Oswego; and Sadie Jones, Bradley. Courtesy of Al Benson