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With the new year not yet shaking off the hardships from the previous one, a spark of hope came on Wednesday to show that things are slowly getting better.

Residents and staff at Lake Prince Woods retirement community received their second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 3.

This vaccine distribution is part of Walgreens’ initiative to take Pfizer’s vaccine to long-term care facilities. In six hours, 368 staff and residents received their second shot. It was opened to not only the nursing home residents but also to independent residents and outside caregivers as well.

“I feel very fortunate that Lake Prince Woods is able to do this,” said Donna Scott, one of the Lake Prince Woods residents. “I am just thrilled.”

At Lake Prince Woods, residents and staff stood on tape lines in the hallway to properly space six feet apart as they waited their turn to receive their dose in the chapel. After receiving their shot, they sat in spaced-out chairs across the large room for their 15-minute wait period.

“This is the happiest day of the year, full of hope and promise,” said Susan Nail, the associate director at Lake Prince Woods. “This is the next step for us to be able to open up again.”

Nail started at Lake Prince Woods in June and does not know the facility under normal conditions. She as well as the rest of the staff are excited to see a bit of normalcy start to take place again.

“I am thankful for this opportunity for our residents and the community at large,” said Tammy Garrett, marketing director at Lake Prince Woods. “The residents have definitely had an attitude of gratitude.”

In January, the residents received their first shot of the vaccine. Even more residents signed up this time around, so a booster shot will be coming back for those who got their first shot later in a few weeks.

“It brings a lot of comfort to me to now be able to bring the care they need without worrying about bringing anything to them,” said Allyssa Rogers, the marketing assistant at Lake Prince Woods. “The residents can now visit with family and attend holiday events they could before.”