Yes, Roseville, there is a Santa Claus

Roseville Senior House’s community room was full to the brim with residents the evening of Dec. 18 for a holiday party organized by volunteers. The entrance was flanked by a larger than life Santa to the left and a reindeer to the right, lit up and glowing in the dark. The lobby was decorated with colorful streamers and baubles and the community room was festooned with glittering stars and balls hanging from the ceiling.

The independent living apartments for seniors and people with disabilities has 127 apartments. Approximately 80 people showed up for food and festivities at the third annual volunteer-organized holiday event.

Santa and Mrs. Claus (sent by the Lions Club) milled about, and the room was filled with laughing and talking as folks enjoyed the food donated by community members. A chorus of carolers from Emmaus Lutheran Church rang out with Christmas hymns.

Curt Stockford may have been wearing the Santa suit, but everyone in the room knew that the real Christmas magic was made by Jeena Gurung Vomhof and her team of volunteer elves. Vomhof, owner of Namaste Brows & Boutique, was the host and organizer, pulling the entire event off through the generosity of friends, neighbors, and community groups, in collaboration with Do Good Roseville.

All of the holiday decorations outside and inside of Roseville Senior House were lovingly put up by Ed Johnson, who has lived at Roseville Senior House for almost 14 years.

“There was a time when I first moved in that every floor had a Christmas tree and every floor had potlucks. But that’s kind of gone by the wayside,” Johnson said. He always decorated his house before he moved here, so when he saw the need he just started doing it himself.

He bring in all the decorations himself and climbs up on ladders and sets everything up, with the help of a friend who stores the decorations for him elsewhere.

“I’ll do it one more year,” Johnson said. “I’m eighty-five years old!”

Kevin Dawes, another resident who’s known by his neighbors for being a “social butterfly” also helped set up the table decorations and carried things in. When asked why he came to the party that night he said, “I’m getting presents, free food, and seeing how many people I know!”

Others at the party confessed that they rarely leave their rooms and don’t know many of their neighbors, but they showed up for this.

This senior living community is fully independent—there are no staff, social workers, healthcare providers, or activity directors. Three years ago when Vomhof opened her business next door to Roseville Senior House on Lexington Ave, she noticed some residents spending time outside. After getting to know a few people, she realized there were many who were in need of connection and other basic needs. So she began offering support, resources, and a listening ear.

Vomhof partnered with Do Good Roseville to formalize the community service, recruiting others to join her in connecting with the residents by playing games, bringing in music, or any other activity they can think of to try to build relationships. When she hears that someone is in need of resources or food, she recruits people to help meet the needs.

“I can help with the logistics and planning, but Jeena is the one who listens and has the person to person relationships,” Kathy Ramundt, co-founder of Do Good Roseville, said. “She’s the one who comes with the ideas and wants to make things happen.”

When Vomhof invited residents to the holiday party, she requested that each person RSVP and submit a personal wish list. Many included basic items like socks and food, because their personal budgets are very tight.

She found people in her networks and wider Roseville community to purchase gifts for each person and then handed them out at the party.

In addition to individual donors, a few community groups contributed to the gifts too. The Roseville Police Department donated Bombas socks, the Lions Club, Stillwater Elks, and Thrivent donated money, homemade Christmas treats were provided by volunteers, and several pizzas from Parkway Pizza were purchased by Phil Peterson, a member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. Friends from Vomhof’s Bible study—a group of North Heights Christian Academy parents—served the food during the event.

“I’m not a millionaire but I have a big heart and I let people know that I wanted to do this and we made it happen,” Vomhof said in a speech at the party.

“I know you’re all going to want to go back to your rooms and write me thank you notes after this, but please don’t. All I want is for you to show kindness to one extra person in this building,” Vomhof said.

She told the gathered guests that she feels blessed to consider each of them like her grandparents and wanted them to know how many different people in Roseville cared about them.

“My wish, my prayer, is that this building is known for love, known for support, known to be there for one another. We’ve got to be there for one another! This is one home!” Vomhof declared with a big smile on her face.

Building community with the residents doesn’t begin and end with a holiday party—Vomhof and several other volunteers visit the building regularly to have conversations, play games, and organize other casual activities that anyone can join in.

“There are so many ways community members can get involved! Volunteers can help with events, spend time with residents, or share their
talents—like music, table games, art, or storytelling,” Vomhof said. If anyone is interested in volunteering, email Vomhof at
namastebrowsandboutique@gmail.com or contact Do Good Roseville.

In February there will also be some specific opportunities to get involved at Roseville Senior House and in other community service projects during Roseville Cares week, Feb. 1 to 9, 2025. More details will be announced by Do Good Roseville in the coming weeks.

Meredith Stockford, who came to the event as Mrs. Claus, is one of the regular volunteers with the Lions Club.

“It reminds you what’s really important,” Stockford said.

So in case anyone is wondering—yes, there is a Santa Claus. If you don’t find her at Namaste Brows & Boutique, look next door at Roseville Senior House.