It was billed as a parade for the residents of Richmond Hill’s Station Xchange, and, along with caregivers and staff members, seniors sat out in front on a warm Saturday morning watching as gaily decorated cars and pickups – and a bass boat – bearing relatives and friends rolled slowly past.

“Thank you,” shouted one woman in the crowd. “Thank you for coming and uplifting us.”

For one woman who drove in the parade, it was the other way around.

“I think it was more so (uplifting) for me,” said Cheri Sale of Savannah, whose mother, Terry Strickland, is a resident at the home. “This means everything to me. COVID-19 has really plagued all of us. We haven’t been able to see them in any fashion since this began, and being able to see them was good.”

She paused for a second, then added, “I miss her terribly.”

All told, perhaps 20 vehicles, including a Richmond Hill Fire Department engine and cars bearing a local government official or two and at least one sheriff’s candidate, participated in the event, which might’ve lasted about 20 minutes.

They waved everything from U.S. flags to signs and babies at residents as they passed, music playing loudly. 

Diane Yeager, the wellness director at Station Xchange, said in an email beforehand that, “I think it will be very emotional but a happy day for our residents.”

 It was.