ZEBULON — The young at heart need to celebrate Christmas, too, and with the help of some volunteers, they did so the Friday before the big holiday.

Residents of the Yarborough-O’Neal Assisted Living Center were missing out on holiday cheer until Scootworks and East R/C rallied some helpers and held a luncheon featuring Santa, live music and gifts. Scootworks co-owner Dave Hockaday said it’s easy to remember children at Christmas time, but that doesn’t mean the elderly should be forgotten.

With bluegrass music from David Hedrick and his band at full volume, a room full of residents were given a much needed dose of Holiday cheer.

Carson Robertson, 88, said those that made the event possible really went over the top on every aspect. “The food and music are good, and the attitude of these people has really been enjoyable,” Robertson said as songs from Doc Watson carried through the center. Robertson, who moved to Knightdale in 1947, said it was nice because you don’t get that type of attention every day.

“”We really haven’t had this type of entertainment,” she said, noting a gospel genre of music is more commonly played during special events at the center. “This type of music has a little hop in it, so it gets some smiles on the people’s faces.

“We sat down on Sunday afternoon and composed a letter to send out to various local organizations we are members of, internet discussion forums we manage, and to our own employees,” Hockaday said. “We tried to remind everyone about these people, and the fact that all Christmas events seem to be slanted towards Children. We agreed that, while Christmas is largely for Children and their needs, there are other groups such as these people who could really use the friendship and help during this Christmas season.”

Phone calls were made last Monday to local businesses and groups in search of help for the activity, and the result was commitments of money, supplies, food, manpower. The commitments came almost immediately. The week that followed kept the volunteers busy.

Scootworks, the Raleigh-Durham R/C, The Triangle East Amateur Radio Association, and the NCVulcan & Friends group began shopping for gift items, food, and wrapping and packaging materials.

“Folks were running around, pulling everything together, for a mass gift packaging operation,” Hockaday said. On the Dec. 19, loads of food that were prepared by Scootworkers were assembled and plated for the celebration, and on the big day, things went as planned.

NCVulcan & Friends and Scootworks employees headed over to the home around 2:30 p.m. to begin set up.

David Hedrick brought out his bluegrass band and music began as lunch was served.

Santa and his helpers distributed loads of gifts to everyone, and naturally he made a jolly exit.

The groups and volunteers decided the Christmas event wasn’t enough — it wasn’t on Christmas Day. On Monday, the residents of the Yarborough-O’Neal home were treated to a hotdog dinner compliments of the Corner Grille. To top that off, the elderly will partake in a Christmas feast — one Hockaday said they’ll want to write home about — today (Wednesday).

“Where do I start,” Hockaday said about those who donated time and money. “In addition to all of the personal donations from individuals, manpower for preparations, supplies pickup and delivery, legwork to find items, etc., there was much in the form of goods, money, and supplies from various businesses and sources.”

Those include Martha Snyder, a member of the GlaxoSmithKline Riders group (a motorcycle discussion group managed by Scootworks), various members of RDRC David Hedrick and his bluegrass band, members of TEARA, Norman Young (also from TEARA), members of the NCVulcan & Friends, Brian Bullock, of the Corner Grille in Zebulon, Helicopter Consulting Services, Vess Aero, The Country Hearth Inn in Knightdale, Kohl’s Department Store and Miller Plumbing of Lexington.

Robertson, who said Christmas has always been her favorite holiday, was thankful for those that made the celebration possible.

“We appreciated it very much. I hope they’ll keep doing it.”