Tidings of comfort and joy

Loved ones dear, near and far will receive holiday tidings in the mail, sent with love from residents of Courtyard at Coeur d'Alene.

Volunteers from Silver Angels for the Elderly brought bundles of holiday cards and goodies to Courtyard residents Friday during a Christmas card party, held in a community room at Courtyard. The volunteers assisted residents with writing messages of holiday cheer to send to siblings, kids, grandkids and more.

"I think it's great. We don't have the access to this stuff," said Courtyard resident Ysabel Chuvala, who wrote a card to her sister and brother-in-law in Connecticut. "It's nice to have this."

Residents Effie and Karl Schmidt, who have been married 72 years, signed cards and visited with Head Angel Diane Zell, founder of the Silver Angels. Across the table, Silver Angel volunteer Diana Benham made friends with resident Cokie Hough, “Dancing with the Stars” champion Julianne Hough's grandmother.

"They make my day," Benham said. "I'm happy to help people."

Volunteer Brent Byrd, a project manager at fiber-based network company Fatbeam, enjoyed his first time participating in a Silver Angels event.

"It's a really simple way to help out," he said. "I think it means a lot to them just to have somebody help them navigate a little bit. Sending a Christmas card is something so simple for many of us, it's something that's more of a task for them. Being able to help them is really encouraging."

Silver Angels for the Elderly is a nonprofit that provides awareness and support to residents of eldercare facilities and their families in Kootenai County.

Beth Pietlicki, Courtyard activities director, flitted from table to table checking on her residents as they worked with the volunteers.

"It gives me complete hope that there is life still within them to enjoy the joy of the season and remembering the loved ones and that life goes on," she said. "There is a magic in Christmas. It's not just the lights, but sometimes it's with the Silver Angels."