Seniors get a boost from the Girl Scouts

In Holtsville, New York, many churches, along with community civic and social organizations, have found extra closet space thanks to Girl Scout Troop #1657. For months, the Girl Scouts have been collecting books, board games and bookcases to complete 50 hours of community service to receive the Girl Scout Silver Award.

One of the recipients of this largesse was Island Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Director of Therapeutic Recreation Lorrie Prescott says the residents are thrilled with the beautiful bookcases donated and the influx of board games. “It seems that Connect Four has become very popular with the residents,” she says. Of course, the traditional games such as Scrabble, Monopoly and Life get good use. However, residents are experimenting and enjoying newer games too.

“It’s great to see residents actively interacting with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren in a spirited game of Whack-a-Mole,” Prescott says. That’s right, the facility received this home version of a popular carnival game—mallet and all.

Whether residents borrow a favorite game to play in their units or assemble a group to play something new, things have become even livelier at Island Nursing thanks to some good-hearted and energetic Girl Scouts.

Because of this effort, the Girl Scouts received their organization’s Silver Award, which Troop Leader Beth Widera explains is “the second highest achievement in the Girl Scouts national organization.”

Share your “Good Stuff.” Send information on your achievements, outstanding personnel, inspirational residents, and more to Executive Editor Sandra Hoban at shoban@iadvanceseniorcare.com .

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.