So there Susan was, speaking to about 150 Western Missouri Optimist Club Officers last week in Springfield MO when Susan was corrected about a reference she had made earlier. It seems she had used the words "nursing home" when referring to a place that holds a card making event every month for us in Jefferson City MO.
One of the more 'spunky' Optimists from Jefferson City MO is a lovely lady by the name of Winona Thomas, a very young 90 something, who is a resident of the Heisinger Bluffs. We have had the unbelievable privilege of being part of their activities now for the last three months, thanks to their Activities Director, Nina Meeks.
Here's Nina working right along side with her spirited group.
Winona brought to our attention that she had misspoken and referred to Heisinger as a nursing home and she very clearly set Susan straight that all these residents are there to 'live', assisted or not, but most definitely, this is not a nursing home. They are more active than most of us on a good day !
Every time we meet there, we have a packed house of eager volunteers, who by the way, come to this event so beautifully dressed up . . .
and boy, do they make cards . . .
look at the stacks of cards on that table. Last week was another Christmas card session and they made beautiful Christmas cards . . .
They produced almost 50 cards an hour which is a huge accomplishment. They are so generous towards our effort, they purchase envelopes, both types and also donate postage for mailing the cards they have produced. This is volunteering at it's very best. Seems that the administration who operate this facility have taken notice as to what their residents have been up to as well, making recommendations that their other facilities get involved with having card making events. Thank you Nina, we couldn't do this without your support and all those youngsters that show up every single time we are there! You know the residents of Heisinger Bluffs Residential Center. There you go Winona, hope we're cool now ! ! !
And by the by, the gentleman in shorts in the picture is our very own card making angel Gerry K (another one of those wonderful Optimist), who never misses any of our events ! Thank you Gerry for assisting the residents at Heisinger.
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