A Touch of Home
PARKER, Armstrong County — Their home is sweet, but a few housewarming gifts will make it sweeter. At least that's what members of Soroptimist International of Butler County have decided about the Parker Personal Care Home — one of the group's treasured pet projects.
To help the nonprofit facility, which opened this year after being bought by the Butler YWCA, the Soroptimists will host an open house and housewarming from 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 20.
As part of the event, the Soroptimists hope to collect donations that will make the facility more comfortable for its residents.
"We're trying to help these ladies have this place feel more homey than just institutionalized stuff," said Teresa English, co-chair of the club's angel committee. "We're trying to get them to the point to where it just feels like home."
The personal care home is in an old elementary school on Seward Street that was transformed into the Bear Creek Personal Care Home in 2000.
When the YWCA bought the facility early this year, the home was set up to accept residents of all income levels with help from the state's personal care boarding home allowance supplements.
"Probably about 80 percent of our people are on limited incomes," said Margaret Clawson, executive director of the YWCA. "Most are frail elderly."
With affordable personal care housing in demand, Clawson said the Y purchased the building with the idea it would operate as an independent, nonprofit corporation that could accommodate those unable to afford privately owned facilities. "That kind of bed is very, very hard to find," she said of the Parker home's low-cost housing, which can run as little as $33 a day depending on circumstances.
"We tap all sources of funding in order to do this."
According to Debbie Dunkle, nurse administrator at the home, those sources include individuals, churches and other groups that have done a range of things from fixing the piano to donating decorations and bingo prizes.
As a result, 35 men and women occupy the once-institutional setting now made cozy with doilies on tables and carpets on floors.
Wooden tables designed for home use are scattered throughout the dining room, and a shop with snacks, greeting cards and other trinkets provides an assortment of low-cost gifts.
"They keep the building in nice shape," said IdaBelle Gallagher, one of the original residents there. "They try to make things comfortable for us."
"The people are so nice here, and the workers are nice," agreed fellow resident Loretta Nelson. "I am very thankful to be here."
The personal care home consists primarily of private rooms with private baths, with limited adult day care services also available.
The home is filled nearly to capacity, with two beds currently open.
For more information about the Parker Personal Care Home, call Dunkle at 724-399-4356.
For more information about Soroptimist International, a group of business and professional women who serve as community volunteers, visit www.soroptimist.org. or call 724-283-4102.
Those who wish to donate to the Parker Personal Care Home can give cash or any items on this list:• Twin sheet sets or blankets• Mouthwash• Pillow cases• Toothbrushes• Bed pillows• Picture frames• Envelopes• Bath towels• Hand towels• Wash cloths• Body powder• Deodorant• Shampoo• Facial tissue• Shaving cream• Breath mints• Gum• Disposable razors• Candy bars• Perfume or lotion• Word search or puzzle books• Chips and other salty snacks• Dietetic/sugar free snacks• Greeting cards• Silk floral arrangements• Denture tablets• Disposable cameras• Postage stamps• Night lights• Note pads/writing tables• Sun catchers• Tooth paste
<B>WHAT: </B>Linens and Stuff, an open house and housewarming shower for residents of the Parker Personal Care Home, hosted by Soroptimist International of Butler County<B>WHEN: </B>3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 20<B>WHERE: </B>Parker Personal Care Home, 103 Seward St., Parker
