It looks like we're off to a great start in 2009. First, I want to thank our supporters who have kept this ministry going and growing for nearly 17 years. Some of you have been with us from the very beginning, August 1992. You really are the best. Because of your generous and committed support we have been able to touch the lives of thousands of elderly people living in nursing homes and assisted living communities.
"Christmas In Our Hearts" our annual Christmas concert was just spectacular. Again, we have some incredible people who underwrite that event, making it possible for hundreds of elderly people to attend. My hat is off to all the volunteers who worked very hard to make that concert a success. Be sure to mark your calendars now for the first Thursday in December 2009, December 3, 2009.
I am very excited about the fact that it appears that many of the University of Nebraska at Omaha athletes will be visiting nursing homes and assisted living communities this year. With the great help of Lyn Holley, PhD, Gerontology Department, UNO, and the UNO Athletic Department, it looks like all the teams will be encouraged to adopt a facility, and visit the residents and possibly bring those that are able to their games.
It's always been my pipe dream that one day, activities directors would start calling me telling that they have too many volunteers and please stop sending so many! Maybe 2009 could be that year.
In the meantime, Ruth McGrath our volunteer coordinator is gearing up for another great year. Last year, she started 24 new volunteers taking our volunteer force over 150 volunteers visiting care facilities. She'll be working with several Omaha churches as well to include Dundee Presbyterian, Thanksgiving Lutheran, Kingsway Christian, Emmanuel Fellowship, to name a few.
If you feel like you are being drawn to volunteer, contact Ruth and she will get you started. It is a great way to get involved in your community, make a real difference in the life of an older person, and make a real difference in your life too!
December 20, 2008 was the last live Radio Hour broadcast. After 12 years of continuous programming, I am sad to let radio go. I loved doing it, and it is a great way to reach a lot of people. But this year, I am going to take that 60 minutes and break it up into 60 soundbites across the week.
In addition, I am going to be developing and expanding our website that will include behind the scenes podcasts that will be available to you 24/7. I will invite our volunteers, friends, boardmenbers, and experts to join me weekly to talk about the role of the church in the long-term care community, how families can avoid the chaos of trying to find a nursing home during a crisis, and a host of other topics as well. My favorite of course is inviting our volunteers to share their stories. They are always remarkable.
That's it for today. Someone told me I should write a book. This probably would not be the place to do that. Now, go to the Donate page make a large contribution , thanks and I'll see you later.
Blessings,,
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