JARRETT GOODMAN

Staff Writer

Whitwell’s Valley View Assisted Living facility recently held its annual War of the Doors contest in preparations for the holiday season.

Hosted every December since 2022, the seasonal contest consists of residents of the facility, alongside family members, friends, and Valley View faculty, decorate many of the office and residential doors in a variety of Christmas based styles and themes. Rhonda LeCroy, Activity Director for Valley View, explained the contest was established to help bring a festive activity for residents and faculty to participate in together, all the while bringing holiday light within the interior halls.

“It makes the halls very festive. One of our residents has already said that it will look sad whenever the doors don’t have all the decorations,” said LeCroy. “It’s something to uplift them, to uplift our residents.”

Many of the doors showcased were decorated in an expansive and diverse range of décor and styles, ranging from presenting a resident’s favorite treats, showcasing a collection of family photos, all the way to being themed around the Nativity. Throughout the contest, starting on Monday, Dec. 15 and lasting until Monday, Dec. 22, all were invited to examine and vote on their favorite decorated door. The resident or staff member to receive the most votes wins the contest.

“Everybody who wants to vote can vote,” said LeCroy.

Executive Director of Valley View Jaime Mears commented how the yearly event helps provide collaborative involvement for both residents and staff within the facility, encapsulating the Valley Views’ ideals of supporting one another. To her, the contest serves as an exciting and rewarding experience for everyone involved, especially when helping to bring holiday cheer to those who call the facility home.

“We’re just one big family. It’s all or nothing,” said Mears.