BY MIKE FUHRMAN

Employees at Randy Marion Ford Lincoln have teamed up to make the holiday season brighter for dozens of local seniors.

The 50-plus employees at the Statesville dealership “adopted” 92 residents of Accordius Health at Mooresville through Home Instead’s annual Be a Santa to a Senior Program.

Erin Roosa, the customer service relations manager at Randy Marion Ford Lincoln, spearheaded the effort. She was pleased by the high level of participation from all of her co-workers, ranging from part-time workers through top management.

“It’s humbling at this time of year to see them all take the time, energy and money for someone else,” she said.

At the dealership’s annual Thanksgiving luncheon, employees select a resident or residents and purchased the items on the seniors’ Christmas wish lists. Most of the residents requested bath towels, throws and household necessities.

“A lot of them are alone,” Roosa said. “If something like this isn’t done, they don’t get any kind of Christmas celebration.”

Last year, because of the high rate of flu and other illness in the area, the dealership’s staff had to drop the gifts off. This year they will get to be part of the festivities at Accordius Health.

“We’re super-pumped to get to see that joy and potentially bring some Christmas spirit to them,” Roosa said. “It’s not all about the gifts in the bag.”

General Manager Rhyne Scott said his team exemplifies what it means to give back.

“To see them want to get involved with this to make sure these seniors get Christmas shows their connection in our community,” he said. “We do have the most caring and generous employees I have ever had to privilege to work with.”