On Tuesday, October 17, Avalon Springs Health Campus hosted a pumpkin hunt event for the Valparaiso community.
Avalon Springs Health Campus offers various care options and assistance within the community. The staff works with residents and families to manage care plans and takes pride in delivering seamless health services.
Several people gathered together for an evening that provided family-friendly activities. Heather Schlegelmilch, Community Services Representative at Avalon Springs Health Campus, described the festivities for the event.
“Our pumpkin hunt is the main activity,” Schlegelmilch said. “Some of the pumpkins are like golden eggs on Easter with special prizes. We also have a bounce house and lots of food, so the kids are provided with a lot of excitement.”
In the past, Avalon Springs Health Campus hosted other events following a Halloween theme. The staff would often organize trick-or-treat events prior to the pandemic.
More than 100 pumpkins were scattered around the backyard of the Avalon Spring Health Campus. Some lucky children who found squishy pumpkins received special prizes. Many attendees, both children and adults, wore their best costumes with Halloween around the corner.
Plenty of children also took the opportunity to get a picture inside an inflatable pumpkin. Schlegelmilch mentions that the senior residents cherish the opportunity to spend time with the kids.
“They love watching the kids, so it’s a great way for them to come outside and enjoy the event,” Schlegelmilch said. “This is our first community event since the pandemic. We’re just trying to provide a way for our staff, kids, residents and other members of the community can come together for something special.”
One resident at Avalon Springs who had a front-row seat of the action was Laura Springman.
“I loved watching the whole experience,” Springman said. “The children were having the time of their lives and I thought it went great.”
Springman was also the first resident of many to come outside for the entertainment. She thinks that the pumpkin hunt event will bring years of exhilaration to Avalon Springs.
“From my viewpoint, I thought it went nicely,” Springman said. “I think that the staff learned a lot from doing this one. It’ll be nice to see what they have in store for next time.”
Event attendees were also encouraged to bring a dry or canned food donation. Avalon Springs Health Campus does an annual food drive to support local churches and utilizes these donations as a way to give back.
“It’s great that we can host this event in great weather at this time of the year,” Schlegelmilch said. “Sometimes these events can be hit or miss. I’m just glad that we had a good turnout and everybody had a great time.”
Schlegelmilch is hopeful that Avalon Springs Health Campus can look to expand upon this event in the future. She says that the event not only promotes togetherness but also serves as a way to help people see what the facility has to offer.
For more information on Avalon Springs Health Campus, you can visit its website.
