Students Sing Carols to Wesley by the Bay Residents

mvitale

Residents listen to the students perform.

By MADDY VITALE Residents in Ocean City’s Wesley by the Bay got a special treat Wednesday afternoon. Students from the Ocean City High School and Intermediate School serenaded them with Christmas carols. “The residents were delighted by the young carolers,” said Kathryn Speer, housing administrator for United Methodist Communities (UMC), which operates Wesley by the Bay. The residents are currently in a no-contact situation due to the recent COVID-19 uptick in cases in the state. Colleen McCann, assistant housing administrator for UMC, helped some of the residents onto their porches as the carolers sang from the sidewalk.

Residents listen to the students sing carols. The event was organized by OCNJ Care, a non-profit organization that raises funds, identifies those in need and delivers aid where needed in the community. "As always, we would like to thank OCNJ Care for their kindness to our residents,” Speer said. “We would also like to thank the Ocean City High School and Intermediate School students for bringing holiday cheer to Wesley by the Bay residents." Residents of Wesley by the Bay, which is an affordable senior housing complex, were treated to candy canes provided by OCNJ Care. The carolers warmed up with some hot chocolate, also supplied by OCNJ Care. Mayor Jay Gillian said the event was just another example of how the community comes together for others. “This town is blessed with so many big hearted volunteers,” Gillian said. “We never let our community down. I want to thank all of the volunteers.”

Ocean City High School students from left, Alec Wisnefski, Brock Cook, Taylor Ponteri, Isabella Pero and Aidan Fasy. Andrew Fasy, chairman of OCNJ Care, said there are so many volunteers in the community who deserve to be recognized for all that they do to help make the holidays festive for everyone. "This is the fun stuff that OCNJ Care does. Big thanks to Christie Ponteri, Ashley Schmid, and Laura Wheeler for organizing the carolers and songs; my wife, Kirsten, for organizing the candy canes, hot chocolate and munchkins for the residents and carolers; and to all of the kids who participated,” Fasy said. He added, “We definitely brought some Holiday cheer to these folks. This is only possible because of our big hearted volunteers, and through generous donations from the public and local businesses."