Miss Kentucky Serenades Seniors for Valentine’s Day
Published 5:53 pm Monday, February 14, 2022
Morris Lucas takes a moment to have a photo taken with Miss Kentucky Haley Wheeler. (Photo by Miles Layton)
Joy Bentley and Miss Kentucky Haley Wheeler talk about Valentine's Day before Wheeler picks up a microphone to dazzle the crowds where her vocal range with songs like Loretta Lynn's Coal Miner's Daughter and "At Last" by Etta James. (Photo by Miles Layton)
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Miss Kentucky Haley Wheeler paid the good folks at Booneboro Senior Living a visit Monday for Valentine’s Day.
The small town girl, hailing from Clay City, serenaded seniors with songs that stir the soul.
Her voice as powerful as Dolly Parton and soulful as Loretta Lynn, Miss Kentucky wowed the crowd with fan favorites such as “Jolene” “Coal Miner’s Daughter”.
To see videos of Wheeler singing, see the Winchester Sun’s Facebook page.
Wheeler said her plan — her mission as Miss Kentucky — is to support Alzheimers’ awareness and to visit as many senior living facilities as she can.
“I’m so thankful to be here today to spend time with these residents, especially on Valentine’s Day — a day of love and to show them a little bit of love in my own special way and let them know that somebody cares about them,” she said.
But it wasn’t just songs from Miss Kentucky that brightened Valentine’s Day for the seniors, but an outpouring of handmade cards, chocolate and other essentials associated with the holiday that came from all corners of the country.
Alisha James, Director of Admissions/CSR Boonesboro Trail Senior Living/Trilogy Health Services, explained some seniors may be spending Valentine’s Day alone, perhaps after decades of spending the romantic holiday with a beloved spouse. Boonesboro Senior Living organized a big social media campaign to provide these folks with some joy, be it chocolate or cards from elementary school students living near far, be it Arizona or West Virginia.
“One of the reasons we want to make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day is that a lot of our residents had been married 50 or 60 years — a lot of them here are widowed,” she said. “That’s one of the reasons they decided to move in, so they do not have to be alone and can have the added peace of mind knowing that we are there for them shall they need us. We wanted to make sure this day was extra special for them if they’re missing their sweethearts and that they are loved; not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day. We wanted to make sure that no one felt left out and everyone has a Valentine”.
