Residents at Gloucester’s many assisted living facilities welcome the sight of Eva Mullins and company dressed in colorful costumes, strolling down the halls, spreading a bit of happiness. Mullins is a Gloucester resident who organizes monthly outings to the nursing homes and senior living communities in the county with 20 of her loyal friends.

Mullins said she started visiting the nursing homes in 1993 when her church ran a program called Shepherds and Sheep. The program had her and fellow members to look out for others such as shut-ins.

In the beginning Mullins said she was joined by five others, Sarah Finney, Pat Carlton, Janet Sindle, Susan Briggs and Jane Rilee. Since then, she says her small group has grown from five to 20 from around the area.

Early on, Mullins had the idea to start making costumes for herself and her friends. She picks a theme and tells her gang what they’ll be wearing. She said they’ve dressed up as everything from snowmen to potted flowers.

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