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. (* We are currently re-opened to the volunteers, visitors, organizations, or entertainment Activity visitors into the facility.)
Residents, tenants, and their families are encouraged to connect with loved ones with visits, or via phone calls and/or video chats, that are available throughout the day. Thanks to all the families of the residents and tenants for contacting staff regarding their visiting times with their loved ones and following the CDC Guidelines and mask wearing when “Connecting” with their families during the weekdays and weekends.
In house Activities have resumed; individualized and very small group Activities with the residents and tenants, and volunteer visits have resumed, as able; following the CDC Guidelines, with staff, visitors and volunteers wearing masks and protective eyewear.
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 Service on local cable Channel-26 was/are held for the Lutherans on Sundays.
“Games”, “Exercises”, “Reminisce” and/or “Small Group” activities (individualized or self-directed in-room) were held with the residents (at the MVCC) each week during the past five weeks, as able.
“Manicures” and/or “Small Group” activities (individualized in-room) were held with the residents (at the MVCC) and the tenants (at the SVAL) each week during the past five weeks, as able.
“Games” activities (individualized or self-directed in-room) were available with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the afternoon on Monday through Friday, following the CDC Guidelines and Precautions.
“Games of Choice” (individualized or self-directed in-room) were available with the residents/tenants, Monday – Thursday, as able.
“Reminisce/Trivia – the 60s” activity/game (individualized or self-directed in-room) was held with the residents (at the MVCC) each week during the past five seeks, as able.
“Oldie But Goodie” – “Blast From the Past – 60s Trivia” individualized or self-directed activity was held with the residents in their room during the afternoon on Tuesday.
“Learn A New Skill – Sharing New Skills” activity was presented during the afternoon on Tuesday. [This activity provided the residents (at the MVCC) an opportunity to share their experiences with one another.]
Exercises & Reminisce – Musical Movie Video – “Danny O’Donnell” and Individualized “Card Games and Ring Toss” was held with the residents during the midmorning on Tuesday.
“Danny O’Donnell” and other Christmas Holiday videos were played for the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday.
“Catholic Rosary” prayers (individualized or self-directed) were recited with the residents during midmorning on five Wednesdays.
“Santa Claus” (volunteer) for visiting and bringing peppermint candy canes for/to all the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC) during noontime on Friday. “Santa and Mrs. Santa Claus” (volunteers) for braving the December winds and snow on Friday.
John Rubel and Jill Huling (staff, volunteers) for distributing the Santa packages (Christmas Gift Exchange) to/for the residents (at the MVCC) and the tenants (at the SVAL) during the afternoon on Friday. Thanks to all the involved staff participating in this event, i.e., “making” the spirit of Christmas possible for our residents and tenants.
Thanks to the Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC): Board of Directors: Brittany Ehlinger (Secretary & Treasurer) and all the Board of Directors; and all the Board Members. Thanks to all the BACC members and volunteers. Thanks to all of the Bellevue & Maquoketa area participants, Maquoketa Community Star Program and the (Christmas Star Program, Maquoketa Community Services/Operation New View), the Maquoketa Community; all participating staff at MVCC/SVAL, and all the Anonymous individuals who were generous in reaching out to “grasp a star”, which made a difference in the lives of our residents and tenants this Christmas.
MaryJo Konrardy and Kayla Griebel (staff, volunteers) for their assistance in Activities, hosting a “New Year’s Party” (at the SVAL) held with the tenants (at the SVAL) with all the New Year’s trimmings, New Year’s Hats, sparkling beverages, and noise makers during the afternoon on Sunday.
The Dietary Department staff involved with hosting “Happy Hour” (with Meat, Cheese, & Crackers Platter) held with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the afternoon on Friday.
The Dietary Department staff involved with hosting “Treats with Dietary” featuring food “treats/goodies” served to the residents and the tenants (following the CDC Guidelines) during the afternoon on Friday.
Jill Huling (Dietary Supervisor) and the Nursing staff for their assistance with the “National Popcorn Day” activity, where the residents/tenants were able to sample different kinds of popcorn and flavorings, and then vote on their favorites during the afternoon on Thursday. (The winning flavor was “Caramel & Cheddar Mix”.)
Jill Huling (Dietary Supervisor) for her assistance in Activities, hosting “Beverage of the Week with Dietary” activity held with the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Monday.
Karen Parramore (Dietary) for her assistance in Activities, hosting “Beverage of the Week with Dietary” activity held with the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Monday.
The Dietary and Nursing Departments staff for assisting Activities, involving “National Pie Day” celebrated with a variety of pies served to the residents and tenants during the afternoon on Monday.
Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Music with Ray & Doris”, providing musical entertainment for/with the residents (at the MVCC) during the evening-time on Sunday.
Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Christmas Music with Ray & Doris”, providing musical entertainment for/with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the afternoon, and then for/with the residents (at the MVCC) during the late afternoon on Monday.
Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Music with Ray & Doris”, providing musical entertainment for/with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the late afternoon, and then for/with the residents (at the MVCC) during the evening-time on Tuesday.
Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Music with Ray & Doris”, providing musical entertainment for/with the tenants (at the SVAL) and then for/with residents (at the MVCC) during the evening-time on Tuesday.
Ray & Doris Theisen for hosting “Music with Ray & Doris”, providing musical entertainment for/with the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC) during the noontime on Friday.
Ray & Doris Theisen (volunteers) for hosting the game of “Euchre” for/with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Friday.
Becky V. (volunteer) for hosting “Piano Music”, providing musical entertainment for/with the residents (at the MVCC) during the midmorning, and then for/with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the midmorning on Monday.
Peggy Althaus with Kasey Jo Butt, Mary Sieverding, and Donna Sieverding (volunteers) for hosting “Bingo” games held with the tenants (at the SVAL) during the afternoon on Tuesday.
Alice Kilburg and Jayne Schroeder (volunteers) for hosting the “Bingo Games with the Catholics”, where “Opposite Day Bingo” was held with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday.
Laurie Anderson (volunteer) for her assistance with Activities throughout the day on two Wednesdays.
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, and Maryetta Lampe (volunteers) for assisting with reciting the Rosary prayers. Laura Steines and Judy Moran (volunteer) for assisting the distribution of Communion to the residents (at the MVCC) and to the tenants (at the SVAL). Laurie Anderson (volunteer) for assisting at the Catholic Service Activity (at the MVCC).
Rev. Robert Gross (Pastor, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, Iowa) for hosting the Catholic Mass and Communion Service (at the SVAL) during the midmorning on Wednesday. Laura Steines and Jr. Steines (volunteers) for assisting with reciting the Rosary prayers. Laura Steines (volunteer) for assisting the distribution of Communion to the tenants (at the SVAL) and the residents (at the MVCC).
Cindy Broders and Dianne Finzel (volunteers) [with Laurie Anderson (volunteer) and Joy M. (staff)] for hosting and/or assisting the “Bingo with the Catholics” held with the tenants and residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday.
Richard Helbing and Millie Hoff (residents, volunteers) with Joy M. (staff) for hosting “Dominoes” games with the residents (at the MVCC) during the afternoon on Wednesday.
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 Thursday and helping our small group of resident/tenant art students unlock their art talents.
Richard Helbing, Millie Hoff, Leanna Sieverding, and Carol Capesius+ (resident volunteers) for hosting “Dominoes” during the early afternoon on Thursday.
Richard Helbing, William B., Leanna Sieverding, and Carol Capesius (residents, volunteers) for hosting “Euchre Card Games” during the afternoon on Thursday.
Dale Meier (volunteer) for hosting the game of “Dominoes” at the MVCC and providing “snacks” during the afternoon on two Fridays with Joy M. (staff). Dale Meier (volunteer) for providing the Chocolate Cookies. Vincent S., Marlyce Tebbe, and Darlene Michel (tenants, volunteers) for assisting us during the games.
Staff/volunteers: Patty Reynolds (Administrator), Jill Huling, John Rubel, and many other unnamed staff for assisting Activities during the past month.
Staff/volunteers: Patty Reynolds (Administrator) Pam Reedy (Administrative Assistant), Theresa Schwager (Environmental Services Supervisor); Susan Eversole, Deb Fultner, and Melissa Stalder (Environmental Services staff); Joy Marchiando (Recreation Program Director), Jill Huling (Dietary Supervisor); Samantha Jargo and Anonymous [Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)], 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 month.
Bellevue State Bank, Maquoketa State Bank, and the wonderful Bellevue & Maquoketa Communities with Anonymous individuals along with our staff, for assisting Santa this year, and helping to make a difference in the lives of our residents and tenants.
The Bellevue Future Farmers of America (FFA) students for bringing in two cases of assorted apples for the staff.
Easton Valley 3rd Graders for their Homemade Christmas Cards with a personal note written for the residents and tenants.
Easton Valley 3rd Graders for their hand-crafted Christmas cards for the residents and tenants.
Jill Huling for bringing in a platter of assorted Christmas Cookies for the staff.
Gina Hingtgen and Anonymous for the Popcorn canister filled with popcorn for the staff.
Anonymous for the Christmas Santa packages arriving from the Bellevue Giving Tree.
Anonymous for their donations of “treats/goodies” for the residents, tenants, and staff.
Anonymous for the donations of new greeting cards and new year 2023 calendars, items, etc.
Anonymous (tenant) for sharing their birthday cakes (one Chocolate and one Carrot) with us.
Anonymous for their donations of items during the past month.
Todd McQuiston for bringing in 30 lap robs from which the residents may choose; and Rhonda Klein for her assistance.
Karla Weinschenk for her gift of a hand-made crochet pink & white robe blanket.
Karla Weinschenk for her donation of a hand-crafted blanket.
Sheila Hunter for the gifts of homemade year 2023 January themed greeting cards for the residents and tenants, and for the beautiful puzzle and “treats” for the staff.
Marian Vaughn (volunteer) for donating/providing eleven homemade wheelchair foot-rests bags for the resident wheelchairs.
Patty Reynolds for the cheese and meat platter with crackers and pretzels for the staff.
Kim Temp for the donations of chocolate chip cookies.
A personal note regarding Activity Professionals Week (January 22-28, 2023). Many Thanks with appreciation to all who were involved in making this “Activity Professionals Week” a Happy One! From a grateful heart, Joy M. (staff).
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 month.
