Linda Manor Creates Holiday Cheer Through Ho-Ho-Hotline

LEEDS — Residents of Linda Manor Extended Care Facility, portraying either Santa or Mrs. Claus, will take calls again this year from area children on the toll-free Linda Manor Ho-Ho-Hotline. The Hotline is open daily from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 24. The toll-free phone number is (855) 337-2682.

To prepare for the Ho-Ho-Hotline, residents attended the Ho-Ho Academy, the specialized training course that readied them for the seventh annual Linda Manor Ho-Ho-Hotline. During the academy, residents reviewed the names of the reindeer, practiced authentic-sounding “ho-ho-ho’s,” prepared answers to commonly asked questions, and perfected the gentle art of making no promises to impressionable young callers.

Residents were also briefed on the year’s hottest toys by local toy experts from Target in Hadley, who prepared a show and tell.

“As a young girl, I was thrilled to get a doll and maybe an apple for Christmas. I can’t believe the beautiful toys they have now,” one resident said after examining the latest Star Wars toy. “It’s a good thing I’m being educated on these toys, or I wouldn’t have the foggiest idea what this is when the kids call Mrs. Claus.”

Linda Manor Administrator Mark Ailinger added that “we’re delighted to offer the Ho-Ho-Hotline again this year. As a not-for-profit health caring facility, we’re pleased to offer a toll-free option for parents whose kids want to experience Santa in a very unique way. We’re also eager to remind people that our residents are still a vibrant part of our community, still actively engaged in wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of others, especially the children.”

Also present at the Ho-Ho-Academy was the original creator of the Ho-Ho-Hotline, former nursing home administrator Jim Brennan. “It’s the 36th anniversary of the hotline this year,” said Brennan, who recalled that the original purpose of the hotline was “to engage residents in something meaningful, and bring joy to children. I’m delighted that Linda Manor has stayed so true to the original spirit and created such a wonderful, fun-filled hotline.”