Kansas City Community Matters March 2015

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Commun ty Matters Kansas City Presbyterian Manor

Presbyterian Manors rooted in Generosity

We often recall the story of Alice Kalb, who at 90 traveled to a 1947 Presbyterian Synod of Kansas meeting to ask for a retirement community in Kansas.

According to Edwin Shafer, senior vice president of development, what Mrs. Kalb basically told the Synod was: “If I give you all the money I have, will you build a home for the aging?” Her heart-felt offer symbolized the plight of a growing number of seniors needing the church’s help. Kalb’s initiative led a farmer from Wakarusa, Kan., to bequeath his farm to the new project. The sale of that land upon his death provided the funds for the first building of Newton Presbyterian Manor. Today, philanthropy at PMMA is evidenced through community partnerships, capital campaigns, Good Samaritan Program giving, special projects campaigns, and planned giving.

Many of PMMA’s 18 communities were opened with the help of local fundraising campaigns. There were

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March 2015

Resident profile: PatriciaWatson

Finding hope through helping others

Patricia “Pat” Watson hasn’t lived at Presbyterian Manor very long, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t already made an impression. After a fall at home left her unable to stand, she came to live at here in July and quickly found her place.

“Everyone is good to everyone around here. I’d like to be more involved, but I’m not able to get around like I used to. Still, I do what I can,” said Pat. “There are several people older than I, and in worse condition, and I can still help. Sometimes, it’s just as simple as rolling up alongside someone and chatting with them for five minutes. That can make their whole day. Or when someone tries to get past a piece of furniture or something or is unable, I can sit and talk with them until help comes. I had one lady tell the nurses I was her best friend, even though she didn’t know me five minutes earlier. We can all help in our own ways.” Pat’s late husband, Kenneth, is a big reason why she feels the way she does about helping others in spite of physical limitations.

“My husband was blind the last 20 years of his life, but he didn’t let that stop him from doing what he wanted to do and helping others,” Pat said. “We had a big garden, and he enjoyed working out there. He knew exactly where everything was. He could repair the tiller and sharpen the mower blade, a lot of things that most sighted people couldn’t even do. He was quite a talented man. He was a wonderful example for me and others.” Kenneth and Pat had three children – a banker, a minister and a teacher – all roles which involve helping others. They were very active in the community, and Patricia was especially active in her church, Wyandotte United Methodist. “I helped out with many things around the church, just like everyone else. When I became older and unable to go to committee meetings, they began meeting in my home,” Pat said. “One thing I was always able to do was bake.

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Kansas City Community Matters March 2015 by Presbyterian Manors of Mid America - Issuu