Wichita Community Matters April 2017

Commun ty Matters Wichita Presbyterian Manor

April 2017

Bears to share Resident has donated handmade teddy bears to children near and far Eleanor Ralls was all set to make quilts for her two small grandsons in Pennsylvania. But then her daughter had a different idea. She asked her mother to make the boys teddy bears.

Eleanor had never considered making stuffed animals, but she agreed.Then she made a few more bears. And a few more.

“It gave me something to do, instead of watching TV all day.When I got a bunch of extras, I gave them to the hospital,” Eleanor said. “I never thought I would make as many as I have.”

That was about 20 years ago. Eleanor numbered the bears for many years, but she stopped counting at 563.

There have probably been a few dozen since then. It takes a couple of weeks to make a couple of bears, she said.

She has given 20 each to St. Francis BEARS, continued on page 2

Getting to know Chaplain Greg Spring For nearly 20 years, Greg Spring was a youth pastor. He likes to joke that it was good preparation for being a chaplain in a senior living community.Young adults and seniors aren’t so different after all, he said.

“They all have a sense of humor, and they like to have a good time,” Greg said.

Greg became the new chaplain at Wichita Presbyterian Manor in January.

He was excited to return to ministry work after his last position as a hospice chaplain came to an end. But he hasn’t been idle. Even while he was still at the hospice, Greg had a second job — as a part-time UPS driver. He would start loading trucks at 4 a.m., finish around 9, and head off to the hospice.The physical work suited him, Greg said.

SPRING, continued on page 2

SPRING, continued from page 1

But working full time meant coming home exhausted and missing out on family time. (Greg’s wife, Karen, is a fourth grade teacher in Valley Center, and they have two grown sons.)

He kept looking for an organization in need of a chaplain.With a music degree from Arlington Baptist College and a master’s in chaplain ministry from Liberty University, it’s where he felt he belonged. “I told my supervisor at UPS, this is my education and my experience.This is where my talents and gifts are,” Greg said. “I’d been waiting for an opportunity to jump back in.”

Finally, he discovered Presbyterian Manor had a position open. He met with Executive Director Dawn Veh and had a good feeling. “I enjoyed her attitude about the people, and how she makes them a priority,” Greg said.

to work in his junior high school office, and he brought a yearbook to share with her.

The chaplain’s service extends to staff members, too.With 180 employees at Wichita Presbyterian Manor, Greg For his first couple of months, Greg said he wants to be available to them, said he has been working to learn a little too. “This ministry is not just with about everyone here, from residents to the residents, to be a comfort and staff members. Sometimes he pitches encouragement to them.There is a in for transportation, driving residents ministry on a whole different level with to doctors’ appointments and chatting the employees,” he said. as they go. “I just have to talk for a few Please remember to give a warm minutes to make some connection with people. I either knew their pastor welcome to Chaplain Greg.We’re happy to have you on the Presbyterian or where they worked,” Greg said. He even discovered that one resident used Manor team!

Resident no stranger to volunteering Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Wichita Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Dawn Veh, executive director Melody Dodge, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Amy Watson, life enrichment director, awatson@pmma.org.

Telephone: 316-942-7456 Fax: 316-941-3806 Address: 4700 W. 13th St., Wichita, KS 67212-5575 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

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Community Matters April 2017

Resident Marty Hartwell is no stranger to volunteering. She has been keeping busy for many years working closely with the public, trying to make a difference and help others.

She started volunteering before she retired from her work as a pharmacist, more than 28 years ago. Her late husband, Chuck, began volunteering at Botanica when it first opened. She would tag along and help him every now and then, and help with the big events.These days, she spends her time volunteering at Wesley Medical Center, the Senior Center, and Botanica.

Just this year, she turned over her position as Social Chairman of Wesley Friends, a position she held for the last 16 years. At the hospital, you can find her stuffing handmade pillows with a group that makes them for children who are patients.They usually make about 350 pillows every time they meet and have donated thousands over the years.

At the Senior Center, she helps with distribution of the monthly newsletter, mailed out to thousands of seniors in the Wichita community. She loves spending time at Botanica and has logged more than 10,000 volunteer hours with them, an honor she shares with just a handful of others. Botanica has been a place of refuge and peace for Marty. After her husband passed, Botanica was like her family, helping her to get through her loss. One of her favorite jobs is planting pansies in the Pansy House. She loves being able to interact with the community and enjoys seeing the gardens in full bloom.

Marty says volunteering “makes me a happy woman. It keeps me happy.”

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Kim Tuhro: ‘Unexpected blessing’ When Kim Tuhro first offered to be a volunteer at Wichita Presbyterian Manor, she assumed the staff would use her in a variety of roles, wherever there was a need.

in our health care and memory care neighborhoods, she usually prepares a few well-known easy tunes as well as some favorite hymns. She does it all a capella, without any recorded music or instruments.

As it turns out, she has been doing the same thing every week for nearly a year. “They’re excited during the time I am And she wouldn’t have it any other way. there, and that’s rewarding,” Kim said.

“Some of them sing along, and some “I did mention that I like to sing” when don’t, which is OK. Of course I love she was first interviewed about helping when they’ll sing with me.” with residents, Kim said. “When I first got to volunteer, I was asked to help Kim lives within a mile of Presbyterian lead a sing-along. I thought it would Manor, but there’s another reason she change, but it is neat that it has stayed specifically chose to serve with us: her singing, because that’s something I grandparents were residents when she really like to do. It was an unexpected was growing up in the 1990s. “It was a blessing.” special place for me because of that.”

Kim sang in choirs while growing up, through college, and continues to sing at her church. For sing-alongs

“It’s nice to feel useful when I’m there, and I usually do feel appreciated and feel like I’m bringing some

encouragement. Most every time that I’m there I feel that,” Kim added.

Volunteer Scott Porter: Serving with the gifts he’s given When Scott Porter’s mother lived at Wichita Presbyterian Manor, she wasn’t able to attend church on Sundays. So Scott brought church to her.

He would bring his guitar and sing for his mother. Eventually, other residents asked if they could listen, too. So they moved into a common area where anyone could join them.

That was more than 10 years ago.

Scott’s mother moved away from Presbyterian Manor, but the activities staff asked if he would keep coming to play music. He agreed. Now, Scott visits regularly to play hymns and lead a short bible study for health care and memory care residents.

Scott said he loves seeing residents join in and sing along even if they are usually not very communicative otherwise.

“Sometimes the hymns really bring them out of it.We’ve had people who wouldn’t speak at all, but as soon as I start a hymn they would start singing.”

“I feel like this is a worthwhile thing, and it’s something I can do. I enjoy it,” he said.

Thank you, Scott, for giving so many hours of your time over the years to serve our residents!

Honoring our Volunteers Wichita Presbyterian Manor will hold a reception to recognize our wonderful volunteers on Wednesday, April 26, at 2 p.m.

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BEARS, continued from page 1

and Wesley medical centers for their children’s hospitals. And she made 19 for her own doctor.

“My doctor says that when a family comes in with kids, they find one of those bears and they hug it, and it makes them so happy. And that makes me happy,” she said.

“I took three to him this last week. And he’s still just tickled with them.”

The toys have traveled well beyond

Kansas. Eleanor’s son took several with him on two trips to Guatemala. Others have been sent to California, Canada, Texas,Virginia and beyond.

Eleanor’s daughter, who raises horses and dogs near Augusta, helps supply her mother with material – especially old denim. Eleanor also makes dog beds for the puppies her daughter raises. Her Bernina sewing machine has been put through its paces. “As long as it’ll sew, I’m using it,” she said.

Since Eleanor’s husband died about 10 years ago, her children have gravitated back toward Kansas to be closer to her.

The boys who got the first bears are now all grown up.When they moved back from Pennsylvania, the younger grandson – now 25 – brought along 13 handmade bears that his grandmother had sent to him. He’s put them away for safekeeping until he can pass them on to children of his own.

Wichita Presbyterian Manor’s Post-Acute To Home (PATH®) program isn’t just about getting you home—it’s about getting you back to your life.

Call 316-942-7456 today to schedule your personal appointment and tour.

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Father’s Day We will be featuring summertime and Father’s Day in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story to tell about a memorable Father’s Day or how your father influenced you, we want to share it. If summertime is your favorite time of year and you’ve got great memories to share, let us know.

If you’ve got a story to share, contact Amy Watson, life enrichment director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Community Matters April 2017

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