Bristal Of East Northport Holds 'Project Hope' Initiative

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — The Bristal Assisted Living at East Northport spread love this past week through its "Project Hope" initiative as Suffolk County Legislator Susan A. Berland visited the facility, according to a news release.

Residents presented Berland posters with messages of love and inspiration in anticipation of Valentine’s Day and greeted her with cheerful songs about positivity and hope. The posters were created as part of a joint community effort called Project HOPE, a symbol of Positivity and Hope, to encourage senior citizens in long-term care, rehabs and local communities to stay optimistic.

"I had such a great time celebrating Valentine’s Day with the Bristal," Berland stated via news release. "I really enjoyed singing ‘Accentuate the Positive’ with John and Beatrice. Their voices inspired so much hope, and their artwork spread the message of love on Valentine’s Day."

Berland thanked the residents of the Bristal, as well as Barbara Heaphy, director of recreation, and the entire staff for the posters. She also thanked the Bristal for the reminder to "'Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative and don’t mess with Mister In-Between!’"

"Our residents want to inspire other seniors to live with an attitude of positivity during the COVID pandemic," Heaphy said. "Our initiative called PROJECT HOPE, focuses on inspirational messages through artwork that they will be gifting the local community, including the Senior Center and The Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center. It not only gives them a sense of purpose, but reminds us all to reclaim the true meaning of the lately negative connotation during the pandemic of the word 'positive.' All of our seniors received their 2nd COVID vaccine last week. They are looking up!"