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  • Resident Carolyn Bean is helped by her brother Don York, make a place mat. The East Cullman Baptist Association sponsored a Vacation Bible School at area nursing homes this week. Tiffany Green

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July 22, 2010

Nursing home residents treated to Vacation Bible School

By Tiffany Green The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — Residents at Cullman Health Care and Rehab, along with three other area nursing homes, were treated to a Vacation Bible School given by volunteers with the East Cullman Baptist Association.

“It is just a blessing for us to be able to bring a smile to their faces,” said Janice Foshee, who has helped organize the week.

This is the second year the association has done the Bible school.

Along with songs, prayer and Bible studies, the residents made crafts.

“They love it,” said Elizabeth Hayes, nursing home administrator. “This gets some of the residents who normally don’t get out of their rooms, out to participate.”

Volunteer Delores Stephenson, with Center Grove Baptist Church, said it brings joy to her knowing she can make someone else smile.

“It just gives us pleasure to do this,” she said. “We just do it for the joy of doing it.”

Nursing home resident Lynell Handley still had the flowers and pillowcase she made when the group came last year.

“I love it and am very grateful,” she said.

Eleven-year-old Mckenna Chambers came again this year to volunteer her time.

“Sometimes those people forget about stuff and we came to refresh their memory about Jesus,” she said. “I am glad I can make someone happy.”

This year the association added Hanceville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

“We had so many volunteers this year,” Foshee said. “We have had more residents join us too.”

Foshee has a passion for the elderly and is excited to be helping them.

“I knew that when I was ask to be the Volunteer Director over the 53 churches in East Cullman Association, that it would take at least two years to get the ministry going,” she said. “Hopefully it will grow and God will call more to minister seeing the need of the nursing home residents.”

Foshee said it is important to see that nursing home residents are visited and taken care of.

“The residents of these facilities are lonely, families may not be able to spend time with them as they would like to,” she said. “Unfamiliar faces are so brightening to them because it's out of the ordinary day to day routine of the facility.”

Foshee worked as activities director at Cullman Health Care and Rehab many years ago and knows first hand the need for help.

“Children bring extreme joy to the faces,” she said. “They sing, help serve and love on the residents. Not only are the residents being blessed but the children are getting a first hand chance to minister for our Lord.”

She wanted to thank all the volunteers who donated their time, donations and other things to make the Bible school a success.

“All the supplies for crafts and snacks have been donated by individuals and churches,” she said. “We couldn’t have done it without the help of all the volunteers.”

If interested in helping next year, contact the East Cullman Baptist Association 256-737-9918.



 ‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.

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