Walking group lights up to brighten some of Saskatoon's long-term care homes

A Saskatoon walking group is hoping to make the holiday season a little brighter for residents in some of the city's long-term care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Wednesday, members of the Happy Soles will don battery-powered lights as they stroll through Saskatoon, providing a socially distanced holiday display for residents at Central Haven Special Care Home, Oliver Lodge and St. Joseph's Special Care Home. 

The Happy Soles have been walkling the streets of Saskatoon since 2007. The group's latest effort "makes my heart sing," said Deb Edmison, who leads the Happy Soles and is a founding member.

"These people are confined to a space where at this time, with the pandemic being on, [they] aren't having visitors in," she said. "So if we can light ourselves up, to light their souls up and maybe sing some songs and spread some cheer, it's desperately needed right now." 

The group usually tags along with the Lighten Up Fun Run, hosted by BrainSport and d'Lish by Tish Cafe, but that event has been cancelled for 2020. 

But that won't stop Thelma Snow, a longtime member of the group set to participate in the upcoming walk. She said she's excited about the plan, as it is one way she can contribute cheer during a very unusual winter.

"We need to brighten things up," said Snow.

"This was something for us to look forward to, and we figured if we could incorporate it by spreading a bit more cheer to some people who are shut in, it would be all the more merry for everyone." 

Asked what she thinks about the fact everyone was so keen on the idea, Edmison said she feels it's just the nature of those involved.

"Happy Soles is spelled … S-O-L-E-S, but I do truly believe that these guys are happy souls, S-O-U-L-S," she said. "They just are such genuine heartfelt people." 

The group will be practising social distancing and following safety guidelines to ensure everyone is kept safe throughout the walk. 

Snow hopes their act of kindness will inspire others in the city. 

"Maybe people will decide to do that in their neighborhood," she said. "Let's invite people to lighten up their nights."