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‘Something that came from the heart’

Suncatchers brighten the days for assistant living residents

Photos courtesy of Liz Deutz Jennifer Danielson holds a suncatcher standing next to Avera Marshall’s Morningside Heights Care Center resident Don Wilmert.

MARSHALL – Days are brighter for residents of Avera Marshall’s Morningside Heights Care Center thanks to 60 donated suncatchers.

Members of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, which is locally called Xi Beta Epsilon, donated the suncatchers as a May Day project. Nursing home activity coordinator Jacki Cook said they’ve made a difference for many of the residents.

She said they got a nice nod and a big smile from resident Richard Roberts. Resident Margaret (Maggie) Asmussen said she appreciates having a nice gift.

“It was very nice of the ladies,” Asmussen said. “I’m glad they took the time and effort to donate something so cute.”

Cook said other residents are equally delighted. She said the suncatchers are a perfect way to celebrate warm summer days.

“The residents always enjoy company, “ Cook said. “They liked getting something that came from the heart and that they can look at every day. It is very special having a group of ladies who made such special items.”

The local sorority chapter is composed of 33 women. They meet bi-monthly to plan service projects and social events.

Other projects they’ve completed include calling bingo, Christmas adopt a family, valentines and care packages for overseas soldiers, donations to Women’s Rural Advocacy and the local food shelf, Food For Kids and Meals on Wheels.

Sorority member Liz Deutz said the suncatcher project has special meaning to her because of the time she’s spent as a nursing home visitor. She spent nine years visiting her grandmother, who lived to be 99.

“I got to know many of the residents,” Deutz said. “They became like family. I saw that the simplest acts of kindness could make them happy.”

She said the suncatchers were seen as something special, something the residents would consider a nice surprise. She added that they helped alleviate the loneliness experienced by residents who don’t have family living in the Marshall area.

She brought her 3-year-old son Vinny to the donation day so that he could begin to experience the rewards of having friendships with elderly senior citizens.

“We wanted to give them something that would bring smiles to their faces,” Deutz said. “We wanted to let them know that we think of them. Hopefully it brought them joy. I think we accomplished that.”

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