MIDLAND, Texas — Before the fireworks took over Midland Thursday night, Polo Park Estates, an independent senior living facility, had their own version of fireworks that got the attention of a lot of Midlanders.
In the form of a car show, pie throwing contest and a dunk tank.
"We're just doing the 4th of July event for our residents and family members," Sales Manager Vee Bautista said. "We just always try to do different activities, different events for the families and the residents to keep them entertained, to keep them active and social."
"Families are here to spend the day and make it something special, something worthwhile and something that no one's ever going to forget," Life Engagement Director Madison Galvan said.
It’s events like these that make this facility different from others.
"I give her [Galvan] a 10 and two thumbs up for this one!" said Vanessa Janica, a resident for the past year and four months.
According to Galvan, that’s all by design.
"And what's different about us is that we go beyond of what the average senior may need mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and we hit those great dual points of what it means so much to a senior to be able to live comfortably and not think that ‘oh this is the end,’" Galvan said. "This is me going to a facility, you know this is a way that we bring big things like this together to throw that all that mentality out the window."
And that effort has definitely been noticed by residents like Janica.
"We just got a new activities director and she's great," Janica said. "All her parties are just great. She always has us doing something throughout the day and all that."
Including Thursday, when these residents got to dunk the employees or throw a pie in their face without consequences.
"It makes them feel like they're young again," Galvan said. "It makes them feel like that they can be a part of something that is, you know, and an everyday thing that you would see with kids and seniors coming together. It makes it all into one and makes it, you know, perfect."
It brings the residents out of their rooms and into the fresh air.
It also brings their families out, especially on a holiday like this one, when the grandparents can join in on the fun with their grandchildren.
"We love to be really family incorporated," Bautista said. "So when we do have events, our staff brings their family, our residents bring their family, we all try to be a really great big community around here."
It’s seeing the residents' smiles that keep Galvan and Bautista wanting to do more events.
"I wouldn't be where I'm at without the residents," Galvan said. "The residents are where the heart of everything is at and it brings me joy, just to see smiles on their faces and them texting me, telling me that I've made their lives better. That's my goal is to make their life more of a purpose."
Which is why a lot of residents say...
"I love Polo Park," said Laurie Tate, a resident for the last six years.
To learn more about Polo Park Estates, click here.