‘Like somebody is taking away their Christmas’: Thornbury long-term care home’s light display vandalized, items stolen

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff at Errinrung Long Term Care and Retirement Residence in Thornbury was looking to spread some Christmas cheer.

Because of the pandemic, they were unable to decorate inside the home, so the staff decided to decorate the outside of the facility.

“If we can’t decorate inside the home, let’s go crazy outside, put up great displays,” said Leanne Haynes, executive director of Errinrung.

She said they had a wide range of lights, trees, woodland creatures and inflatable displays, all designed to brighten up the holidays for the residents and the community. Haynes said the decorations were installed so residents could see them from inside the building.

However, on Dec. 6, many items from the display were stolen, including large animal figures and multiple light-up trees, extension cords and electrical posts. Other items were vandalized.

“It was extremely disappointing and heart wrenching,” she said. “The residents enjoyed it. This has been a really tough year for long term care, and it was something they were looking forward too. It’s like somebody is taking away their Christmas’

Haynes was surprised, as the home had received nothing but support throughout the pandemic.

“It’s really unusual for our little community,” she said.

Some of the decorations remain and while there is a concern the home could be targeted again, Haynes said “we don’t want to take all of our decorations down and forfeit to them.”

The police have been notified and anyone who has information is asked to call the OPP or Errinrung at