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Mom's tradition makes others happy
By JOY DAVIS-PLATT © St. Petersburg Times, published December 14, 2000 BROOKSVILLE -- When Rose Pellgrin's daughter was born with Down's syndrome 46 years ago, doctors told her to put the child in an institution and move on with her life. But the new mother could not walk away. "I put her in my arms and leaving her was out of the question," said Pellgrin, now 88. "I was never ashamed of my Marian. She is a part of me." As her only child grew, Pellgrin took her to the Key Training Center in Citrus County, which provides housing and life skills to mentally retarded adults. After her first visit to the center, Pellgrin was overcome by emotion. A few residents took her by the hand. Some asked to come home with her. Still others gathered at the windows to watch her drive away. "I felt like I had been beaten up," said Pellgrin, still unable to talk about the experience with dry eyes. "I thought there must be something I could do for these poor thrown-away children." Twenty Christmases ago, she thought of something. Since then, Pellgrin has sponsored a Christmas party each year for center residents. About 80 residents gathered at the Brooksville Elks Club on Tuesday for dinner, dancing and a visit from Santa. "Some of these people don't know what it means to go home," Pellgrin said. "This party is mostly for them. For those people, this is Christmas." During the year, Pellgrin collects small gifts for the residents. Because of her limited income, she is constantly on the lookout for bargains. "You would be amazed at how very little it takes to make someone happy," Pellgrin said. Pellgrin entered the dining hall to a chorus of greetings from residents eager to start the party. "We love you, Rose." "Come sit beside me." "When is Santa coming?" For center resident Melissa Weaver, 27, the highlight of the evening was a hug and a gift wrapped in bright paper from Santa Claus. For her, the two $1 bills tucked into her present were a treasure. "Holy Moley," she said, showing the crisp bills around the table. Along with the money, Weaver's bright red bag included a set of shiny costume jewelry, a T-shirt and a pair of socks. "I love Christmas," she said. Marie Tkacs, exalted ruler of the Brooksville Elks Club, said the group donates its dining hall, food and volunteer help for the party each year because the cause is so worthy. For the past year, Marian Pellgrin has lived in her own apartment at the center in Inverness. Before that, she shared a group home with 14 residents. Betsy Burger helps her and others at the center with their independent living skills. During the holidays, residents love to be together to celebrate, she said. Many have lived together and known each other for years. "They have their own social ways," said Burger, who has worked as a transitional living coach for about two years. "They have such a generous spirit. You wish everybody was that way."
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