This year was Sarasota's first "Holly Jolly Trolley Christmas Parade" - where residents at local senior living communities came together to sing carols, dance and reminisce, filling the air with laughter and warmth. One volunteer at the event, Terra Roark said that by volunteering, "you’ve given me the greatest Christmas present ever. I had so much fun, and there were moments that made me cry happy tears.”

When Amanda and Lola grew up in Charleston, the pair were best friends. They went to the old Charleston High School and graduated in 1955. They went to church together, sang in choir, and were even in the same Girl Scouts group. After that, the two drifted apart. They each got married and had their own families. Last year, Amanda moved into Brooksdale Charleston Gardens. She didn’t know anybody there until a familiar face moved in next door.

Every month, Brookdale Troy hosts a special family gathering for its residents. For December, that included a visit from Santa himself. “For the holidays, it’s really important, that we have an event that families can plan around to come and spend some time with their loved ones,” Gil Heckel said, sales manager at Brookdale Troy. “We want to build a relationship with the family members so they can have fun together with their loved ones, and it is something that the seniors look forward to every month.”

During the pandemic, high school students found the Bakersfield chapter of Smiles Across Miles, which brings young people together to create artwork and write letters for hospital patients and retirement home residents. This Christmas, they dropped off over a hundred pieces of art for residents at Brookdale Riverwalk.

Florence Dunlevy celebrated turning 105 years old and reflected on the life she's lived over the past century. FOX 9 photojournalist Scott Wise captured the sights and sounds of the festivities.

Brookdale West St. Paul resident Florence Dunlevy celebrates her 105th birthday Saturday, which came along with a personal birthday letter from Gov. Tim Walz, a notice in the Congressional Record from U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, and an official observation of "Florence Day" in West St. Paul, declared by Mayor Dave Napier.

It started as a simple toy drive at Brookdale Greeneville and grew into a $10,000 donation. The Tennessee Trucking Association Foundation donated the money for Brookdale to buy toys for kids affected by Hurricane Helene. Sherry Starnes, Brookdale Greeneville's Executive Director, said they started the toy drive as a way to give back to the community who often visits and shares gifts with residents of the senior living facility.

Brookdale Midland held a Christmas ball bringing two generations together for a heartwarming event. The residents of Brookdale were treated to dinner by none other than the Midland High School Football Team. It was an evening full of food, fun, and community spirit as these local high school athletes came together to spread holiday cheer, just in time for Christmas.

Midland Brookdale hosted a Christmas Ball Thursday night that featured music, dancing and dinner served by members of Midland High. It was a big thing for the Bulldogs to come and help out, as they got to learn some lessons outside the classroom while helping their community. "It's a big thing that we do at Midland High, it's kind of our values. What we learn at Midland High is to give back to what was given to us," said Marshall Woodside, a Midland High student.

Brookdale Midland held a Christmas ball bringing two generations together for a heartwarming event. The residents of Brookdale were treated to dinner by none other than the Midland High School Football Team. It was an evening full of food, fun, and community spirit as these local high school athletes came together to spread holiday cheer, just in time for Christmas.

If you head to Brookdale White Rock, you'll see pages colored with markers and colored pencils drawn by middle schoolers. The students brought the pictures and smiles to the residents for Christmas, and spent some time chatting with them. For many residents, the holidays can be lonely. "When you get up to our age and we're without our families, so it's really great," said Deborah Kirkpatrick, a new Brookdale resident.

Hearing about Linda Concors and Nancy Seidel’s budding best friendship shows that no matter the age, you’re never too old to make another treasured bestie. They met at Brookdale Creve Coeur, and immediately hit it off. “It’s so fulfilling to know you have somebody,” said Nancy. “I can tell Linda anything and I know it won’t go anywhere else and vice versa.” Linda says meeting Nancy was “an unexpected treat.”

For several weeks, Brookdale Greeneville has gathered toys for children impacted by Hurricane Helene. The TN Trucking Association Foundation donated $10,000 to the community to help out.

35 eighth graders gave residents of Brookdale Gallatin a bit of holiday cheer - singing Christmas songs for the residents. Brookdale Gallatin's activities director, Cassandra Friend, praised the students' warmth towards the residents. "I was deeply touched by the way some of the students responded to one of our deaf residents. They asked me to show them how to sign a few things and then communicated with her. That meant so much to her—and to me, too.”

Every birthday is special, but for Mildred Jones, this one is a bit extra. She turned 100 years old, and her family came to Brookdale Chenal Heights to celebrate with her. Her daughters say they are blessed. "At my late age, I still have a mother alive," one says. "I couldn't ask for anything more."