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Winter Games unite Rosewood Village residents
'The events that took place during this time absolutely strengthened the sense of community around Rosewood Village'
3/13/2026
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Deron Hamel
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Rosewood Village residents and team members got into the spirit of the Winter Olympics in February.
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As Canada faced the USA in the women's gold-medal hockey match during the recent XXV Olympic Winter Games, one of Rosewood Village's newest residents sat surrounded by fellow residents and staff, tightly gripping a manager's hand and cheering for Team Canada.
For Alex Doornbosch, the Sarnia seniors living community's fun co-ordinator, the moment was unforgettable.
“This was a standout moment for me because that resident had been having such a hard time settling into this home, but during these moments she was cheering loud, smiling and celebrating with everyone else,” Alex tells S&R Today.
Alex says she also saw one resident who “couldn't wait” to show another resident – whom Alex describes as “a huge supporter of all things Canada” – the Canada shirt their children had brought them.
This, Alex says, stood out because it demonstrates how residents build strong and meaningful friendships at Rosewood Village.
During the Winter Games, which were held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Rosewood Village team members worked to weave the two-week event into activities.
There were the Olympic Country Races, which incorporated a horse-racing game the residents enjoy, but the horses for this game were replaced with flags from several countries, and residents had fun cheering for the countries they had picked to win, Alex says.
Gatherings were also held in the front lounge, near the TV, to support and cheer on Team Canada during several events, including men and women's hockey and curling. Team members organized theme days that residents enjoyed and dressed up for to celebrate.
Overall, Alex says the Winter Games proved to be an excellent engagement tool at Rosewood Village.
“The residents who do not typically get out of their rooms too often ended up engaging and cheering on Team Canada loud and proud with other peers,” she says.
“Team members would also stop and interact with the residents collectively watching, and they took part in having loud team spirit. The events that took place during this time absolutely strengthened the sense of community around Rosewood Village.”
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