Salina Community Matters – April 2023

Pillow Pals sew love for friends and neighbors

When Jerri Phillips’ mother moved into Salina Presbyterian Manor, she was met with a comforting welcome present.

“She was gifted a fleece pillow that had been hand-crafted by the Pillow Pal group of volunteers,” said Jerri, who is the Home Health nurse at Salina Presbyterian Manor. “She loved it, and uses it! I thought it was such a wonderful gesture that I decided to volunteer with the group.”

Jerri, along with “Pastor Dave” Parker, help coordinate the Pillow Pal group. Pastor Dave has been with the Manor since July 2022, and Jerri has been here about a year as well.

Originally, the group was known as the Stitch & Pray group, and was formed by the former Chaplain, Mary Bridges. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the group’s suspension for a time.

“Personally, I wasn’t aware of the group’s prior activity,” Pastor Dave said. “But several women talked to me about how much they loved making them for residents and the community at large. So, we brought it back with a different name and the ladies are having a wonderful time doing good work for the community.”

The Pillow Pal group makes homemade pillows for each new resident. They also sew pillows for patients at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center. Each pillow comes with a

Pillow Pals – continued on page 2

Department of Giving adds team member to help build community relationships

PMMA’s Department of Giving has named Jenni Jones as its director of giving. In this newly created role, Jenni will focus her attention on building relationships with donors and volunteers associated with the communities of Clay Center Presbyterian Manor, Manor of the Plains and Salina Presbyterian Manor.

“Jenni’s time will be focused on building internal and external relationships to advance PMMA’s mission,” said Sarah Oenning, vice president, Department of Giving. “Our goal with the position is to increase donor and volunteer engagement to have a meaningful and long-term impact on fundraising strategies.”

Jenni has been a part of the PMMA family since 2016 when she was hired as director of sales and marketing in Salina before later becoming regional director of marketing and sales. In this new position, Jenni will get a chance to play an active part in helping the

Jones – continued on page 3

Salina Presbyterian Manor

Left to Right: Elsie Swanson, Patty Landes, Jerri Phillips, Dave Parker, Jean Hamilton, Lola Zook and Wanda Markley

Amy Hoffman with Jenni.

OUR TEAM

Executive Director

Melissa Brumbaugh mbrumbaugh@pmma.org

Director of Sales & Marketing

Cathy Boos cboos@pmma.org

Director of Nursing

Amanda Dean adean@pmma.org

Assisted Living Director

Lacey Hasker lhasker@pmma.org

Life Enrichment Director

Jeni Blair jblair@pmma.org

Business Office Director Afton Luetters-Buhrle abuhrle@pmma.org

Human Resources Director

Tammy Lockhart tlockhart@pmma.org

Environmental Services Director

Anthony DeLaurentis adelaurentis@pmma.org

Director of Dining Services

Charles Singleton charles.singleton@curahospitality.com

Pillow Pals – continued from page 1

small note explaining the group’s hope.

“I believe the pillow serves a two-fold purpose,” Jerri said. “It is a way to welcome folks into the Manor family, and also gives volunteers the opportunity to share their talents in a charitable fashion.”

The group typically draws between 6 to 8 volunteers every other week. They work for about an hour stitching the pillows together. Over time the group has donated “hundreds” of pillows with plans to donate many more in the coming years.

“When the group gathers, everyone just falls into the assembly line where they feel their hand leads them,” Jerri said. “I generally run the sewing machine as I have experience and enjoy that part. Some cut, some stuff, and some tie. In the end, a lovely crafted gift has been made with generous hearts. We also love visiting and the social time.”

Pastor Dave sometimes takes on a different role with the group.

“Personally, crafting is not my forte,” he said. “So, I hang out with them from time to time and chat. We hash over ideas. And I do my best to stay a step ahead of their needs for fabric, stuffing, tools, etc. The women do all the hard work. Generous and caring hearts each one of them.”

The finished project is a gift that people love to receive.

“They all love them” Pastor Dave said. “It’s such a joy to walk around to the rooms and see them wrapped around so many necks. It’s a great way to introduce myself to new residents or previous residents who haven’t received one before. They always seem so excited both to receive the gift, and to be connected to the Manor in such a way.”

Both Pastor Dave and Jerri expressed how much joy and happiness the group brings.

“I personally would like to thank them for their time and for being part of something that is so important to our community,” Pastor Dave said. “The generosity of their time and talents is just awesome. It is such a blessing to see the joy they have in creating these pillows for their Manor family.”

“I enjoy being part of this volunteer group,” Jerri said. “And getting to know them and participating in their generosity.” u

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To submit or suggest articles: cboos@PMMA.org

Melissa Brumbaugh, executive director Cathy Boos, sales and marketing director

Patty Landes holding one of the Pillow Pal notes.

Find comfort, compassion at Salina Presbyterian Manor memory care

Cognitive decline can steal the past, but it does not have to steal the future.

At Salina Presbyterian Manor, our memory care is committed to helping individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other memory-related challenges. This level of care allows our residents to feel safe and enjoy the day-to-day activities provided by our educated and loving staff.

If you have a loved one who is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s and you need a good home where they can re-

March 2023 employee of the month: Samantha Hoffman

Samantha works in healthcare as a Certified Nurse Aide. She just recently passed her exam to become a Certified Medication Aide.

Samantha is originally from Huntington Beach, California.

She enjoys fishing, camping and watching the Dallas Cowboys play football.

We are beyond proud to have Samantha on the SPM team!

Please congratulate Samantha when you see her. u

Jones – continued from page 1

organization achieve its mission and better serve the people she has gotten to know and love.

“I have always shared in PMMA’s mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values and I have seen over the last six years what giving can do to bless our residents and staff,” said Jenni. “I wanted to be a part of the team that shares our mission to the communities through love, faith, charity and other Christian principles.”

For Jenni, it all comes back to the people who call PMMA home.

“I love our residents and I jump out of bed every day because of them. I am so grateful for the ones that have gone before me, the current residents and the future residents—I love them all!” said Jenni. “I am looking forward to serving our residents in a different capacity and making a positive difference in their lives.”

Jenni was born and raised in Salina and has a broad network of community members, friends and family in

ceive proper care, Salina Presbyterian is your answer. When memory fades, hope does not. Contact Cathy Boos at Salina Presbyterian Manor for a tour today. u

April Birthdays

Take a few moments to help us celebrate this month’s special residents!

Kitty Dalton 4/2

Lyla Buehre 4/7

Betty Groves 4/10

Ronald White 4/12

Janice Rose 4/18

Mark Crow 4/21

Jean Hamilton 4/22

Ken Veltman 4/24

Cheryl Runyan 4/29

Leonard Buehre 4/30

Lois Buxton 4/30

Happy Anniversary

Help us congratulate these couples on their Anniversary!

Leonard and Lyla Buehre 4/15/1956

Fred and Peg Schroth 4/21/2012

Curtis and Janice Rose 4/23/1988 u

Dodge City and Clay Center as well. Her passion for seniors began when she would help take care of her own grandmother who lived in an assisted living community. It instilled in her a desire to spread love while extending a helping hand.

“I love helping people, especially the elders in our community. They have paved the way for me and I’m trying to give back,” said Jenni. u

Jenni with Glenn Kohr

Connie Johnson shares with Jenni. Marilyn Hunt and Jenni.

PMMA celebrates history with Founder’s Day

PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) employees will observe the founding of the senior living system this month as the company celebrates its 74-year history of serving seniors in Kansas and Missouri.

PMMA’s roots go back to 1947. Alice Kalb, a widow from central Kansas, appealed to a Presbyterian Church organization to establish a home for seniors. Her vision laid the foundation for the first Presbyterian Manor community in Newton, Kan., and inspired others to do even more. Through the many decades, PMMA® remained true to the spirit of Alice’s vision, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Each Founder’s Day, staff members re-commit to live our mission by signing the “WE PROMISE” board that lists the pillars of the mission: respecting that seniors retain their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; assisting residents with specific needs; providing compassionate service; serving as a trusted resource; and advocating for seniors.

“Our nearly 2,000 employees view what they do as a calling,” said Bruce Shogren, president and CEO. “Our dedicated employees make it possible for us to sustain PMMA’s mission, as well as its heritage. I believe Alice is watching over us today knowing that we’re carrying on the legacy that she

established more than seven decades ago.”

Alice Kalb’s dream has turned into a network of 15 senior living communities and two hospices across Kansas and Missouri. A new senior living community is under construction in Colorado Springs. PMMA remains true to its core and mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. u

Alice Kalb at the groundbreaking of the first Presbyterian Manor.