Because
it is a non-profit facility, a serving arm of the Nebraska ELCA Synod, and has
17 "supporting" churches, Blue Valley Lutheran Homes is often misunderstood
when it comes to the way it generates funds. It does not receive any special
financial aid because of any of these features.
"Daily
expenses are covered by our operations fund, which is essentially the money we
receive from Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement and rent paid by residents and
their families," according to CEO Bill Taylor.
Daily
expenses include the items and services provided to provide residents with the
care and comfort that BVLH strives to make the hallmark of its facilities.
However,
when one of the buildings is looking to provide an "extra" for its residents or
staff (such as a Wii gaming system for the activity room or an updated therapy
machine for the rehabilitation room), the Foundation is called to action.
"The
Foundation Board hosts several smaller events through the year, plus its annual
golf tournament and silent auction in September in order to raise funds to use
for what some people might term 'frills,'" said Amy Harris, BVLH Development
Director. "But we don't think of an easier-to-use van or a new set of colorful
dishes that make mealtime something to look forward to as 'frills.' We see them
as items that enhance life for our residents - and our residents have certainly
earned 'the good life' through their years."
Currently
the Foundation has a few projects on its to-do list:
*Renovations
to the nursing home have begun; individual room updates will be done on a
'can-do' basis, but there is a donor agreement the resident can participate in
if he/she chooses to ensure their room will be updated as soon as possible.
"The current nursing home was constructed in 1971, and it was past due for a
little updating," said Taylor, who is also administrator at the Nursing Home.
*A
more immediate need that will benefit the Nursing Home residents is a new
whirlpool, priced at $16,000. The
current one was installed over 10 years ago; an updated model with side entry
would ensure comfortable seating for the residents, as well as being easier for
the staff to operate and maintain. Janelle Bruning, Director of Nursing at the
Nursing Home, said, "Our ultimate goal is to give our residents soothing
whirlpool therapy, and that is just not possible with our current machine."
*The
Care Home has a new $6,000 battery-operated shower chair in its sights. Like
the Nursing Home staff, the goal of the Care Home staff is to make the
experience better for the residents. Kathy Retzlaff, administrator, said, "This
chair will make it easier for the resident to enter and exit the shower, which
will make bath time much more relaxing for the resident - as it should be!"
*Even
though Courtyard Terrace recently finished its $6.4 million construction and
renovation, one thing was not budgeted for in the process: stained glass
windows for the chapel. According to Michelle Plock, CT administrator, "Stained
glass windows would really 'finish' the chapel area and complete its elegance."
Prices for the windows are being researched.
*Our
memory support unit, The Gardens, was completed in 2006. Currently, all that is
needed there is some new upholstery for a few of the rocker/recliners in the TV
room, which will run about $150 per chair.
The
Foundation Board has been active since 1999 but has seen an increase in giving
these past few years. "We are fortunate to live in an area that responds when
it hears there is a need. I am constantly amazed by the generosity and
outpouring of affection for Blue Valley Lutheran Homes by people who have
experienced its outreach, whether personally or through family members and
friends," said Sheena Moeller, current president of the Foundation Board.
"Every gift BVLH receives is a blessing, and be assured that the Foundation
sincerely appreciates each one. I am proud to be a part of the Foundation for
BVLH and truly believe we are doing good things for great people."
Support
for BVLH and its four facilities can be lent in several ways:
¨
Pray for us. God's light
continues to shine on us, and we know we have all of you to thank!
¨
Volunteer at any of our
facilities. Contact Jeanne Budler at
the Nursing Home (768-3906), Linda Raney at the Care Home/Gardens (768-3936),
or Nancy Fangmeier at Courtyard Terrace (768-3958).
¨
Visit our residents.
Everyone's mood is brighter when there are visitors in the building!
¨
Contribute to our
Foundation. Choose one of the worthy projects listed above or make a general
gift in honor or in memory of a loved one. Craig Stirtz of Lutheran Planned
Giving Services also offers free estate planning for those who would like to
remember BVLH in their estate plans. With
his guidance, you could decide how your gift would best benefit BVLH and your
family. Other gift methods include cash, stocks, insurance, or commodities,
including land or our Gift of Grain program.
We wish to thank current and former residents of
Thayer County and its surrounding area for the extreme outpouring of love and
well wishes regarding our assisted living campaign and opening. We continue to
be amazed by the number of people who have remembered BVLH with memorials and
gifts designated to the expansion. Thanks to your generosity, we have reached
almost $900,000 and have hope that we will make our original campaign goal of
$1 million. Thank you!
Please contact Amy Harris at amyh@bvlh.org or 768-3916 for more information
about supporting Blue Valley Lutheran Homes.