Thank Yous
Community Involvement
Donations of
Time, Talents, & Treasures.
Thank You !!
Depending upon the Jackson County COVID positivity rate, masks and eyewear are required for all visitors, volunteers, and staff at the Mill Valley Care Center (MVCC) and the Sunrise Villa Assisted Living (SVAL). This is per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines, with updates occurring almost daily. Please call/phone before visiting, as conditions may change.
Note: As of March 12, 2023, regarding the COVID (at the MVCC), we are currently experiencing a COVID outbreak in this facility. COVID Precautions are being followed. We are not allowing any volunteers or entertainment Activity visitors into the facility at this time. However, Family & visitors are allowed to visit their loved ones, wearing masks and eye-protection, as required.
Thanks to all the families of the residents and tenants for contacting staff regarding their visiting with their loved ones and following the CDC Guidelines and mask wearing, when “Connecting” with their families during the weekdays and weekends. We are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC 24/7: Saving Lives, Protecting People, and using CDC Guidelines Precautions.) Activities have been cancelled until we are able to resume, by order of the Director of Nursing, Administrator, Medical Doctor, and the CDC. However, individualized or self-directed Activities visits are provided, and we are accommodating independent activities in the room as able, due to the COVID being present (at the MVCC) at this time.
We understand and know how difficult this is, but please remember that we are doing our best to protect the health and well-being of our residents and tenants, your loved ones. We will keep you posted of any further changes. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We appreciate your cooperation with this. Thank You!
In-house Individualized Activities or self-directed Activities with the residents (in-room at the MVCC) and the tenants (at the SVAL) resume, as able. We want to thank all our dedicated staff for caring for all the residents and tenants. And, we want to thank all our dedicated volunteers, our community, our schools, and area churches, who were planning to visit and assist with Activities this past week. We look forward to seeing you all again in the future, as God May Bless.
Individualized or self-directed Activities with in-room visits are given, as able. The Presbyterian Church Service, the Lutheran Church Service (with Pastor Paul Gammelin), and the Catholic Church Services (with Pastor Robert Gross or Associate Pastor David Ambrosy) have been held weekly on the local cable Channel-32 for the Catholics during the past five weeks and on Sundays.
Lutheran Church Services on local cable Channel-26 have been held for the Lutherans on Sundays.
Individualized in-room “Exercises” were held with the residents (at the MVCC) during the past five weeks, as able.
Individualized in-room “Manicures” activities were held with the residents (at the MVCC) during the past five weeks, as able.
“Games” were/are available with the tenants in their own apartment at the SVAL during the afternoon on Monday through Friday, following the CDC Guidelines and Precautions.
“Games” were/are held with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the afternoon on Monday through Friday, following the CDC Guidelines and Precautions.
Individualized “Games of Choice” was available (for/to the residents/tenants in their respective rooms/apartments at the MVCC/SVAL) Monday – Thursday/Friday, as able.
Mrs. Kim Moore (Instructor, HS Math, HS Computers & PowerSchool Facilitator at Marquette Catholic School; Bellevue, Iowa) with her students for visiting with the residents (at the MVCC) and the tenants (at the SVAL); bringing and delivering March birthday cards and playing cards and board games with the residents and tenants during the afternoon on Friday (3/3/2023).
“National Certified Nursing Assistant Day” – Appreciation for the CNAs was celebrated by the residents, tenants, and staff, by visiting the residents/tenants in their rooms/apartments during the afternoon on Monday (03/20/2023). Thanks to all the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for their “Service, Effort, Kindness, Dedication, Honor and Compassion” that they deliver 24/7. “May God Bless” them.
“Social worker Appreciation Day” (individualized or self-directed activity) was held with the residents in their room during the afternoon on Tuesday (3/21/2023).
March is recognized as National Nutrition Month. We thank our Dietitians and Dietary Staff for their “Service, Effort, Kindness, Dedication, Honor and Compassion” that they deliver 24/7 and “May God Bless” them. A celebration (individualized or self-directed activity) of this was held with the residents (in-room) during the afternoon on Monday (3/27/2023).
A Cupcake Baking Contest activity (a Baking Challenge Project featuring cupcakes) was conducted to help us celebrate a “Cup Cake Day” with our residents, family, guests, and staff. All were given an opportunity to select, test taste, judge and enjoy the cupcake entries during the afternoon on Tuesday (3/28/2023). Thanks to all the staff for their entries of beautiful cupcakes: Holly Romer, Kelly O’Donnell, Jillian Jacobsen, Theresa Schwager, and Joy Marchiando. Special Thanks to Mrs. Holly Romer for bringing in a variety of cupcakes: Turtle with Carmel Filling, Peanut Butter, Sugar Free Marble, Oreo, Strawberry, and Boston Crème with Vanilla Filling. All the varieties of cupcakes were taste tested and judged by the participating residents, staff, and guests. All the cupcake entries were declared winners by the judges. No cupcake escaped testing.
A Homemade Dog Bone Baking Contest activity (a Baking Challenge Project featuring homemade dog bone treats) was conducted to help us celebrate “National Puppy Day” with our residents, family, guests, and staff during the afternoon on Thursday. Special thanks to guests Kelly O’Donnell and Makaela O”Donnell for supplying treats and other essentials for this event. Thanks to Theresa Schwager for supplying her homemade “Dog Bone Treat” mixture/dough, that the participating residents, families, guests, staff helped to shape [flatten (the dough) and outline with a “dog bone” shaped cutter], that was then baked in an oven during the afternoon on Thursday. Thanks to Makaela O’Donnell for bringing her [Corgi (Pembroke & Welsh)] male dog named “Sam” to visit and share (reminisce) with the residents in their room during the afternoon on Thursday (3/30/2023).
Dianne Panzi (Interim Administrator) for hosting a discussion on the topic of “Daffodils” with the residents and tenants during the noontime on Saturday.
The Dietary Department staff for their assistance in Activities, where “National Potato Chip Day” was celebrated by sampling/serving chips with assorted flavorings by/to the residents, tenants and staff, by visiting the individualized rooms during the afternoon on Monday (3/13/2023).
Ray & Doris Theisen (volunteers) for hosting the game of “Euchre” for/with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on three Fridays.
Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Music with Ray & Doris”, providing musical entertainment for the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC) during the noontime on three Fridays.
Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Music with Ray & Doris”, providing musical entertainment for the residents (at the MVCC) during the evening-time on two Sundays.
Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Mardi Gras Music with Ray & Doris”, providing musical entertainment for the tenants (at the SVAL) and then for residents (at the MVCC) during the evening-time on two Tuesday.
Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Music with Ray & Doris”, providing musical entertainment for/with the residents (at the MVCC) during the evening-time on Tuesday.
Dale Meier (volunteer) for hosting the game of “Dominoes” and providing “snacks” during the afternoon on three Fridays with Joy M. (staff). Dale Meier (volunteer) for bringing and sharing Chocolate Cookies. Vincent S., Marlyce Tebbe, and Darlene Michel (tenants, volunteers) for assisting during the games. The Dietary Department staff for hosting “Treats with Dietary” for the residents and tenants.
Marlyce Tebbe (tenant, volunteer) for leading the prayers of the Rosary for the Catholic tenants during this month of March.
The Dietary Department staff for their assistance in Activities, hosting “Beverage of the Week with Dietary” held for the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on five Mondays.
Richard Helbing, William Blitgen (residents, volunteers) and Clara Ernst and Harlan Wilslef (tenants, volunteers) for hosting the “Euchre Club” during the afternoon on two Tuesdays.
Peggy & Tony Althaus (volunteers) for hosting Bingo games for/with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the afternoon on Tuesday.
Mary Jo Konrardy (staff, volunteer) for hosting Bingo games for/with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the afternoon on Tuesday with Joy M. (staff).
Kayla Miller, Brielle and Brenna and Bel Sieverding (volunteers) for playing games and doing manicures for/with the residents and tenants during the late afternoon on Tuesday.
Our friends at the Bob Ernst Insurance (Bellevue, Iowa) for providing to us the generous amounts of beautiful Daffodils in recognition of “Daffodil Days” for the residents (at the MVCC) and the tenants (at the SVAL) during the midmorning on Wednesday.
Rev. David Ambrosy (Associate Pastor, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, Iowa) for hosting the Catholic Mass and Communion Service (at the MVCC) during the midmorning on Wednesday. Laura and Jr. Steines and Judy Moran (volunteers) for assisting with reciting the Rosary prayers. Thanks to Laura Steines (volunteer) for assisting the distribution of Communion to the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC). Laurie Anderson (volunteer) for her assistance during this service.
Rev. David Ambrosy (Associate Pastor, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, Iowa) for hosting the Catholic Mass and Communion Service (at the MVCC) during the midmorning on Wednesday. Laura and Jr. Steines and Judy Moran (volunteers) for assisting with reciting the Rosary prayers. Laura Steines (volunteer) for assisting the distribution of Communion to the residents (at the MVCC) and the tenants (at the SVAL).
Rev. David Ambrosy (Associate Pastor, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, Iowa) for hosting the Catholic Mass and Communion Service (at the MVCC) during the midmorning on Wednesday with Joy M. (staff). Jr. Steines (volunteer) for assisting with reciting the Rosary prayers. Jr. Steines (volunteer) for assisting Rev. David Ambrosy with the distribution of Communion to the residents (at the MVCC) with Joy M. (staff).
Laurie Anderson (volunteer) for her assistance on Wednesdays.
Maurice Anderson [formerly with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)] (volunteer) for being our special guest speaker and hosting a presentation, featuring sample wildlife (animal) pelts and a live demonstration with a Milk Snake, incorporating interactive question and answer sessions regarding wildlife with a captive audience of residents, tenants, guests, and staff at the MVCC during the afternoon on Wednesday (3/1/2023), in honor of National Owl & Wildlife Day. Thanks again to Maurice and Laurie Anderson (volunteers) for an informative, fun filled, and fantastic program.
Pat Roling, Steve Junk, Beverly Sullivan, and Janis Kilburg (volunteers) for hosting the “Bingo Games with the Catholics” held with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday with Joy M. (staff). Laurie Anderson (volunteer) for her assistance during this activity. The Dietary Department staff for their assistance and serving bananas with peanut butter in celebrating “National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day” for the residents, tenants, staff, and volunteers during the afternoon on Wednesday.
Diane Dempewolf (volunteer) for hosting the “St. Patrick’s Day Bingo Games with the Lutherans” held with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday with Joy M. (staff).
Richard Helbing and William Blitgen (residents, volunteers) and Clara Ernst and Harlan Wilslef (tenants, volunteers) for hosting “Euchre” games during the late afternoon on two Wednesdays.
David Eischeid (volunteer art instructor) and Mary Kubik (volunteer assisting Dave Eischeid) for visiting and hosting “Artwork with David and Mary” (an artwork class) during the morning on two Thursdays and helping our small group of resident/tenant art students unlock their art talents.
The residents, tenants, and staff participating (voluntary dress up) in celebrating “Doctor Seuss Day” during the afternoon on Thursday.
Richard Helbing and William Blitgen (residents, volunteers) for hosting “Games” with the residents during the afternoon on two Thursdays.
Kathy Dunn, Pat Roling and Liz Barry (volunteers from the American Legion Auxiliary Ladies; Bellevue, Iowa) for hosting (and/or assisting with) the “St. Patrick’s Day Bingo games” during the afternoon on Thursday with Joy M. (staff).
Theresa Schwager (staff, volunteer) for assisting Activities throughout the past five weeks.
Staff/volunteers: Dianne Panzi (Interim Administrator), Pam Reedy (Administrative Assistant), Theresa Schwager (Environmental Services Supervisor) with Susan Eversole, Deb Fultner, and Melissa Stalder (Environmental Services staff), Joy Marchiando (Recreation Program Director), Jill Huling (Dietary Supervisor), Anonymous [Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)] staff, and other unnamed involved staff for their assistance in connecting the residents, tenants, and families together with family visits or via phone calls, video-chats (Apple FaceTime, Facebook, Skype, etc.), i.e., “Connecting with the Families”, and/or assisting family visits with the residents (at the MVCC) and/or the tenants (at the SVAL); and for assisting Activities during the past five weeks.
Congratulations to William Blitgen (resident) who was discharged to go home this week after his completion of our “Rehabilitation to Home Program” at the MVCC.
Sheila Hunter for the handcrafted St. Patrick’s Day greeting cards for the residents and tenants.
Sheila Hunter for the generous huge St. Patrick’s Day Basket filled with assorted “treats/goodies” for the staff.
Marquette Catholic School – Students and Teachers (of Marquette) for making homemade St. Patrick’s Day Cards for the residents and tenants.
Ms. Schmidt’s 5th Grade Students from the Andrew Elementary School for the beautiful St. Patrick’s Day hand-colored pictures for the residents and tenants!
Emery Smith for the donation of 13 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies.
Anonymous for the fresh bouquets of flowers for the residents and tenants to enjoy.
Anonymous for their donations of items the past five weeks.
Thanks to all the volunteers for being awesome.
Thanks to all the involved staff and volunteers for their assistance in Activities and support in/with all the “individualized” activities/events during the past five weeks.
Thanks to all the unnamed individuals who communicated [via letters, phone calls, video chats (FaceTime, Facebook, Skype, etc.), outside closed/open window visits, inside visits, etc.] with the residents / tenants to help uplift their days. Thanks to all the residents, tenants, families, friends, school children and teachers, volunteers, staff (Administrative, Nursing, Dietary, Housekeeping, Laundry, Maintenance, and Activity-Recreation Departments), local area (Bellevue, Maquoketa, Preston, Andrew, St. Donatus, Springbrook, etc.) businesses, churches, organizations, and other unnamed individuals for their kindnesses, assistance, and support with all our activities / events / donations / cards / posters during the past five weeks.
