For three years, Henry Weaver’s mother-in-law lived at Homeland Center, and she always had visitors.
Weaver’s wife, Peggy, visited Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Henry Weaver came on Sundays, joining her for lunch in the dining room.
“She was well-loved by people here,” Henry Weaver says. Though her husband had never called her anything but Elizabeth, “when she came here, she was affectionately known as Lizzie.”
When Ronald Brinkley visits Homeland Hospice patients, he believes he gets more out of the encounters than they do.
Maryann Smith and Tessy. who enthusiastically greets visitors to Homeland Center’s gift shop.
“It’s been a blessing and truly a privilege,” said Brinkley. “You get to know them well. Most of them are very gracious and thankful that somebody came to see them.”
Brinkley was among the volunteers honored at the Homeland Center and Homeland Hospice’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet in April 2016. Dozens of volunteers filled the Homeland Center main dining room, decorated with pansy centerpieces and tiny stars sprinkled on the tablecloths.
Homeland Hospice Coordinator of Volunteers Leanne Porterfield thanked the volunteers by reciting the lyrics to “Seasons of Love,” from the Broadway musical, Rent which emphasizes the theme of all the friendship and love that can be measured in a year.
“I can’t think of a better thing to share with all of you, for all that you do for the seasons of life that our patients at Homeland Hospice and our residents are Homeland Center are going through,” Porterfield said.
Homeland Center Director of Skilled & Personal Care Activities, Ashley Bryan, revealed that Homeland Center CEO Barry Ramper challenged her to increase volunteerism by 10 percent, and it rose by 15 percent.
“That’s all thanks to you, and it’s a benefit to our residents,” she said.
All volunteers received gifts reflecting their time in service, while individuals honored were Jeanne Shellman, most gift shop hours at Homeland Center; Kelly Lick, most hours by Board member; Tierra Meade, most companion hours at Homeland Center; Ronald Brinkley, most patient hours at Homeland Hospice; and Sherry Lank, most administrative hours at Homeland Hospice.
“Homeland Center and Homeland Hospice volunteers are part of the foundation which enables our organization to provide consistent high quality outcomes to our patients and residents,” said Ramper. “Our volunteers are the best. We very much appreciate their heartfelt commitment.”
Meade was recognized for cheerfully helping Homeland Center residents one-on-one and wherever needed. “The residents put a smile on my face,” she said, “they keep me laughing.”
One Homeland Center volunteer who didn’t get a gift but received plenty of attention was gift shop greeter Tessy, a 9-year-old teacup Yorkshire terrier wearing a sparkly green dress. She came to the dinner with her owner, Maryann Smith.
“If someone is distraught, she listens to their problems and gives them a kiss,” Smith said. “If they’re in a wheelchair, I put her in their lap. They pet her and talk to her. She’s very patient with them all.”
Homeland Hospice volunteer Brinkley enjoys conversing and getting to know the needs of patients. His wife, Brenda Brinkley, also is a Homeland Hospice volunteer and was a longtime member of Homeland Center’s Board of Managers. They both had relatives who lived in Homeland Center, including Brenda’s mother, who celebrated her 100th birthday in the Homeland Center diner.
“They do a good job of taking care of the people,” Brenda said.
Homeland Hospice staff is “the most special group, the most caring,” Ronald added. “They just love people, and I just love being around them.”
Residents Marie Andrews, left, and Vivian Black worked with Barbara Cleeland, a member of Homeland’s board of managers, to get the Ted Lick Room’s books organized.
Marie Andrews is perusing the books on the shelves in Homeland Center’s newly renovated library and activities room.
“We have John Grisham books, and we have Tom Clancy,” says Marie. “We have Patterson. We have Debbie Macomber, who is very popular. Nora Roberts.”
“We have a lot of Nora Roberts,” adds Vivian Black.
Vivian and Marie should know what’s popular here. The Homeland Center residents volunteered to help in the recently renovated library and activities area – renamed the Ted Lick Room – and take pride in caring for the books and making them readily available.
The room was renovated in 2014 through a generous gift to the 1867 Homeland Society from Kelly Lick, widow of Harrisburg philanthropist Ted Lick. The cheery room sports a new kitchen, built-in bookshelves and armchairs for relaxing and reading. Residents gather here for cooking classes, bingo and knitting circles.
“It’s a well-used room, not just a library,” says Vivian.
Kelly Lick’s gift allowed for the remodeling of a skilled care room, also named in honor of her late husband, and for the purchase of a handicapped-accessible van.
The gift was among the first received by the 1867 Homeland Society, established to encourage and recognize major gifts. Donations to Homeland’s endowment allow the center to care for residents regardless of their resources. Last fiscal year, Homeland spent more than $2 million on charitable and benevolent care.
In case Hillary Cinton decided to run for president, Marie Andrews, left, and Vivian Black say they’re “hanging on to” materials having to do with the former first lady.
Homeland’s library was established a decade ago through a bequest from Catherine “Kitty” Meikle, a resident and avid book lover. Ten years later, when Vivian and Marie were asked to pitch in, the collection needed their help. Due to the sudden illness of a volunteer who had kept the library organized, donated and borrowed books weren’t making their way to the shelves.
“This place was full of books in boxes,” says Marie.
“There were boxes and boxes,” adds Vivian, pointing around the room. “They were on that stand, and on all those shelves. They were back in that corner and in this corner over here. We had a terrible thing to tackle.”
Marie and Vivian worked with Barbara Cleeland, a member of Homeland’s board of managers, to reorganize and reshelve the books by categories – paperbacks, large print, fiction, nonfiction, picture books.
Residents and staff can borrow books indefinitely, leaving a card matched to each book in a basket for Vivian or Marie to file. Favorite selections vary from one day to the next, but mysteries are enduringly popular. So are titles of local interest, such as books about the Battle of Gettysburg or Amish culture.
As books are donated, it’s the job of Marie and Vivian to sort, select those likeliest to appeal to the Homeland community, and designate the rest for donation to church or other retirement home libraries. They tell their regulars when a book they’d like has come in. They keep an eye on current events and retain any books that might have topical interest.
“We’ve been hanging on to things with Hillary Clinton in case she runs for president,” says Vivian.
Marie remembers first coming to Homeland and being “only too glad to come down here and get a book to read.” The reader of mysteries and historical fiction liked the fact that she didn’t have to ask others to bring books to her.
The Ted Lick Room’s atmosphere invites relaxation and contemplation. A collection of elephant figurines, donated by a world-traveling former resident, Robert D. Hanson, fills a pair of bookcases. Through the windows, there’s a view of Homeland’s beautiful Fifth Street garden.
“When all the dogwoods and all the azaleas are out, it’s gorgeous,” says Marie. “Absolutely fantastic.”
1901 North Fifth Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
717-221-7900
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1924 N. 6th Street
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2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Hospice: 717-221-7890
HomeHealth: 717-412-0166
HomeCare: 717-221-7892
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