When Fran Reese approached Executive Director, Joy Reichenbach, earlier this year about naming Hilty Home, Pandora, as the recipient of memorial gifts in honor of her late husband, Reichenbach was pleased.  

Fran’s husband, Richard Reese, had lived at Hilty Home since June, 2010, and died Jan. 25, 2013. Fran wondered if the memorial gifts could be used to purchase a ceiling lift. A ceiling lift would have been beneficial to Richard and allowed him to stay in the Special Needs Unit where he had become comfortable and familiar. 

Unfortunately, as his physical strength declined, he had to move to another part of Hilty Home that had a ceiling lift.

Reichenbach was pleased with the family’s suggestion since Hilty Home had wanted a ceiling lift in the Special Needs Unit. But, additional funds were not immediately available. She then talked with Doug Luginbill, Director of Resource Development and Church Relations of Mennonite Home Communites of Ohio and together they developed the “Give our Residents a Lift” campaign. The goal was to raise $6,600 to cover the costs of the equipment and installation. 

Local businesses were approached and invited to support the project. The response was outstanding. Fourteen local businesses, several individuals and other memorial gifts made it possible to surpass the goal by contributing $7,200.

But the story doesn’t end there.

In September a $6,600 gift in honor of Charles Kinsinger was received for the purchase of an additional lift. One lift had suddenly turned into two. Then Reichenbach talked with a representative from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) to inquire about a Safety Grant for additional lifts. 

In response, BWC awarded a matching grant that provided $3 for every $1 raised. In the end, through the generosity of many, a total of $53,400 became available. Eight lifts will be installed in various rooms at Hilty Home after the first of the year.

The lifts will provide a safer and gentler way for elders with physical limitations to get into and out of bed and chairs. The lifts will also reduce muscle strains and injuries of employees responsible for transferring and lifting elders. 

A recent study by the American Nurses Association concluded thatz: “lifting, transferring and repositioning patients are the most common tasks that lead to injury in the nursing profession.” It is for this reason that the BWC is providing safety grants to help reduce such injuries.

Hilty Home is grateful to the Richard Reese family for their generosity and inspiration as well as to all those who supported the project.

Local businesses that supported the project include First National Bank of Pandora, Northwest Ohio Title Agency, Pandora Flooring, Riley Creek Pharmacy, Basinger Plumbing & Heating, Pandora Grain and Supply, Sprunger Insurance, Jon N. Diller Attorney at Law, Pandora’s Lunch Box, Sara Beth’s Beauty/Barber Shop, Ted’s Market, Carl’s Hardware, Blanchard Valley Farmers Co Op and TS Imported Automotive. 

Several individuals and other memorial gifts also supported the project.

Hilty Home is a non-profit and faith based nursing home and child care provider. In 2012 Hilty Home became an affiliate of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO).

Together, the Pandora and Bluffton communities of MHCO provide independent living, assisted living, nursing care, rehab services, home health, senior services, mobile meals and child care on four campuses. In 2012, MHCO served 630 elders and 110 children throughout the area.

“The excellent services MHCO provides,” said Luginbill, “are made possible by the great partnership between staff, volunteers, donors and programs supported by organizations like BWC.” 

Reichenbach, who is completing 11th year at Hilty Home, added, “I am grateful to the community for their support of this project. The residents and staff will benefit from this gift for many years to come.”