Three Absolut Care employees celebrate atop a float at the National Nursing Home Week celebration at Absolut Care in Westfield on Wednesday morning. Photo by Anthony Dolce

WESTFIELD — The employees at Absolut Care of Westfield got an interesting surprise early Wednesday morning — a dance party.

The company trotted out a “Gloat Float” to their locations, with the float making a stop at Absolut Care of Allegany on Tuesday afternoon, before arriving to Westfield at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The cause for the celebration, on top of saluting the health care workers for their increased efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, was National Nursing Home Week.

“Each year our facility hosts a variety of events during National Nursing Home Week, but this year we wanted to do something extra special to recognize our team for their efforts during this pandemic,” the company said in a press release.

The employees at the facility in Westfield were given various prizes and gifts by the company and were brought outside when the float arrived. Atop the float was a D.J., who played music for the staff to dance to.

“It went over really well,” said Hillary Pattison, the activities director at Westfield. “The staff is so grateful, nothing like this has ever been to the facility. It really brought everybody’s spirits up.”

Employees of the Absolut Care in Westfield gather for snacks during their “Gloat Float” celebration at their facility on Wednesday morning. Photo by Anthony Dolce

The float was at the facility for an hour, where the employees were able to get on top of the float, dance, and have food that was also provided.