Elizabeth Devine, who lives at Seasons of Saxonburg, enjoys the gift of a handmade blanket. She was one of 40 residents of the facility who received a blanket made by participants in the Cinderella Ball, which is the second oldest debutante ball in the U.S.

Forty senior citizens will be warm and cozy for the foreseeable future, thanks to a group of debutantes.

Kelly Waldman, owner of Seasons of Saxonburg, said debutantes from the Cinderella Ball made the fleece blankets for her personal care and memory care residents.

The Cinderella Ball has been held in Pittsburgh since 1924. The program includes the Leadership Forum for Young Women, which sees the debutantes participating in a community service project each year.

Waldman is involved in the Cinderella Ball and suggested the blanket project to organizers.

“I think it was some much-needed holiday cheer,” Waldman said.

She said like other congregate care facilities, Seasons of Saxonburg has not allowed visitors since March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The blankets were dropped off at Seasons of Saxonburg by Cinderella Ball participants and distributed by staff members, Waldman said.

She said the residents were thrilled with the soft, comfy and colorful blankets.

“It was a nice way to present them with a little something to let them know other families are thinking of them,” Waldman said.

She said everyone at Seasons of Saxonburg hopes the blankets help lift the spirits of the residents.

“I hope that they realize that even given a hard year, there are still people out there who want to do something nice for others and spread some cheer,” Waldman said.