JKV Foundation 30th Anniversary

By Linda Kristofik

It’s time to celebrate! This year the JKV Foundation is celebrating its 30th Anniversary. Our Annual Meeting, scheduled for March 30, 2022, will feature Ms. Barbara Brunning, the first chairman of the board. Ms. Brunning will share some of her memories and recollections of those early days. We hope you’ll join us for this memorable occasion.

The Foundation’s motto is “Neighbor Helping Neighbor," and its primary goal is to provide financial assistance for residents who have exhausted their resources. In terms of what this means today, the Foundation can ensure that regardless of their ability to pay, residents will be living in the level of care that best fits their needs. If someone would benefit from being in Oak View Suites (Assisted Living) but their assets have been depleted and they are unable to afford the service fee, or if a resident needs assistance from Home Health in order to remain in their cottage or villa, the Foundation can help to make this happen.

Even in the early days when assets were limited, the small touches from the Foundation made a difference: one resident who was confined to her bed enjoyed listening to tapes until her recorder failed. The Foundation purchased a new tape recorder and brought much pleasure back into her life.

Following a fire drill, a resident who was barely able to walk asked to be moved to a first-floor apartment; Home Health packed and moved him and the Foundation paid the moving cost. A resident who was legally blind lived alone in an apartment. She needed help with her medications so the Foundation paid for a nurse to visit her once a week to help set up her weekly dosages.

Over the years your contributions have also made it possible to sponsor projects that we hope have enhanced the lives of our residents. Some of these projects include the benches that have been installed throughout the Village, the installation of a new canopy covering the walkway between the Citrus Building and the Barker Center, and a new audio/visual system for the Barker Center. This year the Foundation is looking forward to participating with John Knox Village in the refurbishment of Majestic Oaks. The Foundation’s participation will make it possible to provide enhancements and upgrades for the new furnishings to be selected for patient rooms.

The Foundation appreciates the donations and bequests that we receive from our residents and friends. We hope that you will remember the Foundation in your financial and estate planning so that we may continue to fulfill our mission.