Spring 2011 - Retirement Housing Foundation

VolunteersHonoring Some Incredible IndividualsRHF’s 2011 Volunteer of the YearAnita and Forest Wasson- Mayflower Gardens, Lancaster, CAGinny Beaver, Activity Director at Mayflower Gardens RetirementCommunity writes, “Twelve years ago, Anita and Forest Wassonand members of the Quartz Hill First Four Square Church begantheir food ministry out of their home. In the beginning, theywere feeding three families a week. Now, about 1,200 peoplebenefit from their efforts each month. They have expanded toserving three mobile home parks, members of the First FourSquare Church, and the very fortunate residents of MayflowerGardens. At Christmastime, they visit the mobile home parksand provide a complete Christmas dinner, party, and toys forthe children.They are so important to the residents of this community. We aretruly blessed to have been chosen to receive their kindness.”More than 50 residents signed their names to a letter that read,“With our economy and the financial integrity of our nation inquestion, our seniors struggle with many issues. Issues such as the severe increases in medical healthcosts, housing costs, and food prices are constantly on the minds of seniors, not only in California, but acrossthe nation.The tenants of Mayflower Gardens have been provided with food, free of charge, donated byvarious stores in the area, each and every week. Each week, on Friday afternoon, they promptly showup and organize our “game room” so that each person who has the need can bag their allotment in anorderly manner.”RHF thanks Forest and Anita Wasson for what they do, not only for the residents of Mayflower Gardens,but the entire Quartz Hill community.RHF is pleased to recognize Anita and Forest Wasson as 2011 Volunteers of the Year.Long Distance FamilyTowne Creek Apartments - McKinney, TexasToni Andrukaitis started volunteering at Towne Creek Apartments tointroduce art into the lives of the residents. The Young At Heart Artists(or Yah, Yahs as they refer to themselves) soon took on a life of its own.Some time ago she was asked to write a story for McKinney LivingMagazine about Blue Mountain Equipment (BME), that was havingits ribbon cutting and open house in McKinney. There she had thepleasure of meeting the president of the national company, Stan Crader,who was in town from Missouri, where he resides. At the conclusionStan Crader and Toni Andrukaitis of the interview, he gave her an autographed copy of his book, “TheBridge.” They chatted awhile and he said that he also volunteered at a senior facility in his hometown andthat it was one of his greatest pleasures.She started reading a chapter of the book a week to the art group at Towne Creek. They loved it so much, thatshe posted a couple comments on his Facebook page. He responded and said he was going to be in McKinneyat a book signing and that he and his wife would like to visit with the residents of Towne Creek.As it turned out, it was also his birthday. When he arrived, the residents surprised him with a birthday cake,balloons and singing. He read a chapter of the book and then he autographed extra copies for his new fansand friends. He has become part of their long-distance family and visits whenever he is in McKinney. He hassince written a second book, which they are enjoying now.Mr. Crader is a successful businessman who started creative writing as a pastime, and since has written twosuccessful books. To add to the list of his accolades, Mr. Crader donates the proceeds of his books to variouscharities in his community.-10-