For years, the Permian Basin Rehab Center has put on an annual Christmas Carnival for its patients and that tradition continued this year.
On Thursday, patients from the Permian Basin Rehab Center and their families stopped by the MCM Grande Fun Dome to enjoy food, games, prizes, balloons, face painting and pictures with Santa Claus.
“The Christmas carnival is something that we do every single year,” Executive Director of the Permian Basin Rehab Center Kim Ortega said. “It’s just really a Christmas party for our patients. It’s not a fundraiser. It just gives our patients and their families a special blessing at Christmas because we care about them. They’re important to us. It’s a good way to celebrate the holiday season. It’s one of the most fun things that we do all year.”
Permian Basin Rehab Center staff members took part in the event with some of them dressing up as various characters including members of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“The Christmas Carnival is an appreciation that we do for our patients,” said Pat Fierro, Physical Therapist Assistant who was dressed as Iron Man at the carnival. “Just seeing the look on the kids’ faces and bringing them in and now we can see them have fun and enjoy themselves. … We love having them together and have fun and doing pictures with Santa and interacting with other kids.”
Kids and their parents enjoyed Thursday’s event.
“It’s just good to bring them out here and have something to do,” said Beatriz Flores who was with her two kids Liam (4 years-old) and Ariah (3). “It’s good to get them out of the house and they seem to be enjoying it.”
Other members were dressed as characters from Beauty and the Beast and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Crystal Ball Foundation debutantes and escorts were also on hand to help run the games.
“For the ball, we’re honoring the 2020 debs and escorts since we didn’t get to meet last year,” President of the Crystal Ball Foundation Sondra Eoff said. “And it’s our 60th Crystal Ball so we’re excited for this wonderful event.”
This year’s Crystal Ball will take place 8 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
Last year’s carnival was done a little bit different due to COVID.
“Last year, we set up stations in the parking lot and our patients drove through and we handed them goodie bags,” Ortega said. “We did have an opportunity to have a Christmas photo op, separately, in the lobby. This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus are here and we can enjoy all the fun things that Christmas is.”
Ortega said they were glad to have the carnival back as an in-person event this year.
“It’s just so important that we have celebrations like this because the last few years have reminded us how important being with each other is and what a blessing it is and how important time with each other is,” Ortega said. “We’re just excited to be able to give this gift to our families because they deserve it. They’re an important part of us and we’re excited to share Christmas with them.”
To donate to the Permian Basin Rehab Center, go to pbrehab.org/therapies.
For more information on this year’s Crystal Ball, go to odessacrystalball.org.
