Written by: Madison Filson
In addition to providing safe and affordable housing, Windy Hill has a resident services team who provide resources as well as enrichment activities that foster stability, financial independence, and community well-being.
This Fall, our Resident Services team helped bring joy, creativity, and community spirit to life with our Spooky Seasonal Door Decor Contest, which was hosted across our properties in Fauquier and Loudoun Counties. This festive event invited residents to decorate their front doors with Halloween flair, and the response was incredible. Across our Windy Hill communities, residents of all ages came together to transform their spaces with spooky scenes, festive fall designs, and creative takes on Halloween classics. From carved pumpkins and paper ghosts to elaborately themed doors, the effort and enthusiasm from our residents truly captured the magic of the season.
One of our winners from Levis Hill House, resident Michele Kay, took home the top prize for her creatively spooky door design. Michele transformed her door into a Halloween masterpiece featuring small hand-cut bats spiraling around the door, surrounded by wisps of fake cobwebs and tiny spiders that added the perfect eerie touch. Reflecting on the experience, Michele shared,
“After I set up the design, my daughter helped me put up the bats, and it reminded me of decorating when they were little. I’ve always loved the holidays!“
At the center, a bucket of candy guarded by a skeleton hand completed the scene, a playful mix of fun and fright that captured everyone’s attention. Her creativity and eye for detail brought smiles to residents and visitors alike, turning her door into a standout display of festive spirit and community pride at Levis Hill House. She added that living at Levis Hill House has deepened her sense of belonging and connection:
“I live in a place where I truly feel cared about by my neighbors, but more so by the management here. I have people I can turn to who truly care, and if they don’t know exactly how they can help, they take the time and make the effort to find real options.”
Michele also praised the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to creativity and togetherness:
“You guys are ALWAYS encouraging Community Spirit! It’s kind of like being in school again because you come up with fun things to do, or to make, or places to go, or sometimes just to share a meal. You create a positive atmosphere for us to share ideas and to express ourselves creatively. Creativity is inspiring, keeps us growing, motivated, and goofy!”
This event would not have been possible without the support of our volunteers, Board members, and community partners, including a generous contribution from The Whole Ox in Marshall, who served as our judges. This year’s door decorating contest was more than just a celebration of creativity; it reflects the incredible community partnerships that make our work so impactful. One of the standout examples of that spirit was our collaboration with The Whole Ox in Marshall. Known for their commitment to local farmers, sustainable sourcing, and quality food, The Whole Ox embodies the heart of Marshall with community, craftsmanship, and care. Their enthusiasm for supporting local initiatives helped bring our vision to life. From lending their time to judge one of the properties for the door contest to offering prizes, their team showed what it means to truly be a community partner.
The Whole Ox’s support helped take the contest to the next level. Not only did they donate gift cards to the winners, but they also provided big bags of Halloween candy for residents to distribute to trick-or-treaters in their neighborhood. Their generosity added a sweet touch to the festivities and made the celebration even more memorable for families in our communities.
These efforts are just one example of how Windy Hill’s Resident Services team works to build a strong sense of community by creating opportunities for neighbors to connect, celebrate, and support each other. Events like the Spooky Seasonal Door Decor Contest foster more than fun; they build bonds between residents, encourage community pride, and help make our housing communities feel at home.
We are especially grateful to our community partners, whose generosity helps us enrich the lives of our residents. And we’re proud of our residents, who brought so much heart and holiday spirit to this event. As we look ahead to the winter season, we’re excited to keep building this momentum with more celebrations, shared moments, and meaningful community engagement.
