A hog roast and live music were the perfect way to bring together residents and family in appreciation for the volunteers of the Life Care Center of The Willows. The evening was complete with great tasting food courtesy of Birkey’s Family Farm, a performance from Ken Tripp and Evan Wierzsbiski, and lots of smiles and laughter. Fun was to be had for every attendee, no matter what their role.
To see more photos from the event, click here!
As a premier nursing home in Valparaiso, the Life Care Center of The Willows focuses on inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation with twenty-four hour nursing care. Focusing on physical, occupational, and speech therapy, patients are able to receive a wide range of help. For patients staying in the facility, the center is more of a community, complete with amenities such as a beauty salon and barber shop, a garden, and religious services.
Toby Stigdon, Life Enrichment Director, says it best: “Food, Family, Friends, and Fun is my slogan. To me, in this field these are the most important parts of our life. We need to be around those we love and making memories that we will forever cherish.”
Virginia Sonato, daughter of Hellen Lemon who turned 102 in June, said, “Life Care Center of The Willows is the greatest place. She used to live somewhere else but it was definitely not as nice as this place. All the people working here are happy to be working here. In some places it’s just a job, but these people are hugging the residents and asking them what they can do for them. It’s really a good experience.”
Michael Austin who has been a resident of Life Care of The Willows for four years said, “They have a good family friendly atmosphere and they have a good therapy program and everyone is very helpful!”
With the help of a volunteer, Michael will also be hosting his own radio show featuring music of many different genres as well as interviews on WVLP 98.3 starting this month.
Volunteers from the Christian Church of Lacrosse have been coming to the nursing home for fifteen years. Febe Beyers of the church says, “We really enjoy it. We form a lot of relationships coming here and it’s always hard to see them go.” As Life Care puts it, management comes and goes but the volunteers have always been there.
As Toby explains, “Last year we got all our volunteers teachers that said ‘you are the light that guides us’ and that’s true. When we see volunteers coming here every week, every month for no pay, it puts things in perspective.”
Clearly the volunteers of the Life Care Center of The Willows have been making a huge impact on residents, family, and faculty for years and will continue to for many more to come.