THE HISTORY OF SHELL POINT
CHAPTER EIGHT – HARD TIMES a time of great sacrifice by the residents in terms of paying The mid-1970s were difficult years for Shell Point. more and expecting less, resident relations actually improved The economy was on a downturn, and the expense of during this time period. Upon arriving at his new office on his building the Mid-rises caused problems with the comfirst day as Executive Director, Bernard King walked to the munity’s cash flow. Shell Point had been borrowing large wall of windows overlooking the community’s center money to pay its debt, and the community was on the courtyard and flung open the heavy drapes, announcing that verge of financial disaster. This time of financial crisis was his office would be open for inspection at any time to anyone. deeply troubling to the Board of Directors. In 1977 Dr. There would be no secrecy between Dr. King and the resiBernard King, the board treasurer for The Christian and Bernard King dents. Every decision would be made with candor. It was a Missionary Alliance, was appointed to the role of Execsymbolic gesture, but an important one. utive Director for Shell Point. As a former treasurer, King had the knowledge and the fortitude to stem Shell Point’s financial The community slowly began to recover, and a snapshot of the losses, but it was a trying time for the community as layoffs of emIsland at that time would include Tellidora, Nautilus, Macoma, ployees and severe budget cuts caused a deep ripple of anxiety Royal Bonnet, Cameo, Periwinkle, Coquina, Sand Dollar, Cellana, throughout the organization. King, however, was forthright with the Junonia, Turban, Lucina, the Medical Center, the Pavilion, the Vilresidents and with the local media and was relentless in his drive to lage Church, a Village Center, amphitheater, and the motel. But raise money and cut costs. one thing the community did not have was an assisted living facility, which would be necessary to maintain industry standards, as well The Village Church initiated a fundraising campaign to raise one as protect against an overuse of the skilled nursing facility. In 1985 million dollars toward part of the expense of the construction of the plans began for a new assisted living facility church building. Additionally, The Christian that would be named King’s Crown. The and Missionary Alliance denomination changed name was selected for a variety of reasons, the nature of the “start-up loan” of $300,000 that first because it was in keeping with the overwas used to launch the community’s construcall pattern of naming buildings within the tion into a gift, plus absorbed an additional Village after popular sea shells but many peo$38,000 in expenses, thereby further reducing ple thought that the name was chosen to the community’s debt. The C&MA also prohonor Dr. King. However, he did not want vided the community with a one million dollar personal recognition for the facility and interest-free loan, which infused the organizawould frequently say that the King’s Crown tion with much-needed cash for its operating exKing’s Crown groundbreaking was another example of God’s grace and penses. Dr. King also handled an unpopular, but abundant blessings on Shell Point. necessary, increase in fees to ensure that residents were being charged fairly but appropriately for the services they were It was during Dr. King’s years that stability and confidence rereceiving. Prior to this time, residents were being charged far below the turned to Shell Point Village. Dr. King’s careful leadership proamount necessary to pay for the services and amenities, with the idea vided a turning point, and he was able to reverse the steep spiral that members of the C&MA from throughout the country would of debt and operational deficit. For the first time in the commumake gifts toward the care of retired missionaries. This plan did not nity’s history, Shell Point enjoyed relative financial stability. Dr. yield enough money to cover the true cost of caring for these residents, King was ready and eager to retire; and at his request, the Board and Dr. King realized that it was necessary to recalculate the fees for began to earnestly seek his replacement. new residents to adequately cover those expenses. Although this was 10
Shell Point Life | October 2008