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Sharing Your Story, Cont.
Volunteer Achievement
Sunset Auxiliary
Clifton Lutheran Sunset Home, Clifton
Sunset Auxiliary sees itself as a group that exists to improve the quality of life of each and every one of our residents. Auxiliary volunteers are in our facility every day of every week. They thrive on fundraising which helps purchase the "extras" which typically cannot be afforded. They sponsor three major fundraisers each year which contributed almost $100,000 to our organization in 2007. Auxiliary members spend each Thursday operating a Thrift Store which is a great activity for the residents, as well as the local community. They write letters, read books, lead poetry writings, conduct vespers, and make sure that residents read the most current books available. They walk with residents who need direction, they help send out countless mailings and newsletters, they shred old records, and repair tears in torn dresses. They are men and women whose hearts are definitely in the right place and are called to be of service to others. Our organization is in the process of building new facilities. The auxiliary pledged to raise $200,000 to add to the capital campaign. In a year and a half they have raised $170,000 toward their pledge, while continuing to fund many daily resident activities as well. The auxiliary's participation and contribution to our organization ensures that those residents entrusted to our care are given every opportunity to lead a fulfilled life.
Volunteer Achievement
Dallas Lutheran School
Presbyterian Village North, Dallas
A long line of floats filled with cheering students, a marching band, flag corps members, and cheerleaders weave their way through Presbyterian Village North's campus each fall. For eight years, residents have lined the campus streets and greeted the neighboring high school's homecoming parade with spirit banners and pom-poms. The parade is just one of the many ways Dallas Lutheran School has reached out to serve our community. Presbyterian Village North and Dallas Lutheran School's long-time relationships expanded in 2005 to incorporate the school's "Beyond My Front Door" Program. The school developed this program to teach students about civic responsibility and community service. Four times each school year, approximately 20 students volunteer for the day at our community. Their work has included a one-on-one visitation with residents while playing games, reading, doing crafts, painting nails, etc.; participation in health center activities such as exercise, music, trivia games, and serving at the Red Hatters Tea; creation of table decorations and party favors for our annual dinner at the Ritz event; creation of table decorations and wrapping of gifts for the Annual Volunteer Luncheon; development of a musical program they perform for residents; and help in organizing new engineering and maintenance offices. The relationship with Dallas Lutheran School is a true partnership. Whether it is some extra manpower, a listening ear for a resident, enthusiasm during an exercise class or some youthful creativity and humor, the gifts of service that these students provide are a blessing to our community. Residents look forward to their quarterly visits, and students know that they will leave having received as much as they have given.
Volunteer Achievement
Geneva Zarbaugh
Christian Care Center/Hilltop Haven, Mesquite
Geneva Zarbaugh began giving of herself and her time with the opening of one of the Christian Care Centers in 1973, volunteering in the beauty salon and visiting the residents. Thirty-four years later, she is still volunteering. Over the years, she has made a significant impact on our organization and the residents we serve, and she has inspired and encouraged others to follow her committed, steadfast example. Geneva has served not only as a volunteer, but as a volunteer leader in the following important roles: Volunteer Coordinator, recruiting volunteers for our organization; Church and Community Liaison, speaking to varied groups about our services and needs; and most recently, Founder and Organizer of The Women's Auxiliary Council at two of Christin Care Center's long-term care facilities, each in different counties. She has also taken the lead to carry on the tradition of a Holiday Craft Bazaar at one community and establish the same event at another. In 1979, one of her family members moved to our long-term care community and was a resident for five years. In 2005, her mother moved to another of our long-term care communities. This underlines Geneva's belief that, as an organization, we love and care for the residents. For her 34 years of wholehearted support and steadfast leadership, Geneva is well deserving of the 2008 TAHSA Volunteer of the Year Award.
Volunteer Achievement
Lil Williams
Memorial Hermann University Place, Houston
Lil Wiliams is one very busy lady! Lil volunteers at a local hospital two days a week as a liaison between the hospital staff and family members in the ICU waiting room and the inpatient surgery waiting room, and also finds time to work in the hospital gift shop. Lil has just completed 22 years of volunteer work at our hospital but does not confine her contributions to it alone. Lil also volunteers as a clerk in University Place's convenience store. When our Activity Director needs help shepherding a group of assisted living residents on local outings, Lil is usually the first independent living resident to volunteer. Her help to our Marketing Department has been nothing short of fantastic. She is proud of our community and an outstanding ambassador. Lil is also the Chairperson for the Resident Association's Social Concerns Committee, making sure that resident illness, hospitalizations, and deaths are appropriately noted and that neighbors within the community are comforted and encouraged during the ever-present trials of life. Lil is indefatigable, compassionate, exceptionally effective in all she undertakes and is a shining example of a life that is outwardly directed.
Publication of the Year
Christian Care Centers DVD
Christian Care Centers, Mesquite
Newsletter of the Year
Hilltop Newsletter
Eden Home, Inc. New Braunfels
Website of the Year
www.ericksoncommunities.com
Highland Springs, Dallas
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