In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Good Shepherd Community Nursing Center hosted a dinner to honor those individuals that we call our Beloved Volunteers.  They never cease to amaze us with their talents, wisdom, direction, faith, prayers, energy, and strength.  As one of our residents lay in the bed waiting for a visit or a call from her son, it was one of our minister volunteers that comforted her as he told her that her son had died.   As we grieved with this mother, it made our job easier as this was a man that was ever so gentle with this resident and with us.  In other situations, they have led funeral services for residents who had no family, becoming their family and insuring that every small detail was covered.  For touching our hearts in such a manner, we give thanks and are thankful for the many acts of kindness to our residents and to us.  May God continue to bless each of them to do His work.

Shown above is resident, Jerry Brizendine, of Good Shepherd Community Nursing Center.  Jerry is not only a resident, he is a volunteer.  He is shown with a wooden planter that he and the maintenance staff built, stained, and varnished.  Activity staff will use the planter as a fund raiser for the resident’s Christmas fund.

Jerry is a valuable asset to our community.  He has been trained to use our telephone system and he maintains the switchboard for the nursing staff in the evenings.  Kudos to Jerry and thank you for your help.

On Monday, residents will be taken to the Breaks Interstate Park for a picnic and games. 

On Tuesday, an outside bar-b-que is planned and special entertainment will be provided by Donnie Prater and Friends, a Blue Grass Band. 

On Wednesday, residents, staff, families, and visitors will take part in carnival games followed by a special ceremony of Blessing of the Hands led by Chaplain, Sandy Mitchell.  A special breakfast is also planned for the residents and staff to share together. 

On Thursday, residents and families will be provided a candle-lit buffet dinner in the dining room of the facility. 

On Friday, we will celebrate with a helium balloon lift-off and residents and staff will be provided ice cream treats.  The week will conclude on Saturday with a watermelon party, patio social hour, and games (horseshoes, corn hole, and others).

Residents of Good Shepherd Community Nursing Center enjoy the ride to South Williamson, Kentucky, to dine at Kentucky Fried Chicken. 

Residents of Good Shepherd plan weekly outings visit different areas, shops, malls, parks, and restaurants. 

On April 7th, seven members of the 4-H Hop-to-It Rabbit club brought a variety of the furry animals for the residents to enjoy.  The weather was so pleasant that everyone was able to interact with the long-eared creatures outside under the entrance awning.  Animals have a very positive affect on residents not only medically, like reducing their blood pressure, but encourages verbal skills, even those who have dementia.  Seen here are mini-lop rabbits as well as Dutch, chinchilla, and dwarf.

Pictured above is the group “Driven” with their director, Mable Dotson.  The group is  from the Barrenshee Church of God.   The multitalented group performed on Tuesday night, April 29th, at Good Shepherd Community Nursing Center.   They visit and perform at Good Shepherd on a regular basis.  Many members of the church are VOLUNTEERS at the facility.

Above, members of the group, DRIVEN, are performing for the residents in the dining room of Good Shepherd Community Nursing Center.