Becky Haldorson, assistant
administrator, accepts the Dream of the Year award
on behalf of Sunny Hill Skilled Rehab Center, 421
Doris Ave. It was presented to her by Larry Lindholm,
the facility's activity director. Lindholm traveled
to Georgia to accept the honor. An Indian dream catcher
is the organization's symbol.
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Second dream fulfilled with trip to watch White Sox
JOLIET - Sunny Hill Skilled Rehab Center and The Friends
of Sunny Hill, Inc. recently received the "Dream of the Year" award
from Georgia-based Second Wind Dreams.
SHSRC Activity Director Larry Lindholm accepted the award
during the annual Second Wind Dreams conference at Georgia
Institute of Technology on June 16. The non-profit organization
is dedicated to fulfilling nursing home residents' dreams.
"This award really challenges the perception of the aging
population as we look at them," Lindholm said. "As we age,
our dreams don't die. They may be asleep and need to be awakened.
The winning dream was just one that was awakened here."
Sunny Hill, a 250-bed, county-owned nursing home at 421 Doris
Ave., was honored for making Evelyn Roberts' dream come true
in September 2004. Roberts, who is battling cancer, wanted
to ride a camel.
Roberts' ride was well documented in the local press and also
was featured in People magazine. It was the local group's first
dream fulfillment. It generated financial support from Joliet
Police Department members and others.
Award criteria included community involvement and resident
participation in the culmination of the dream.
Lifetime White Sox fan Mary
Paine (left) and her niece, Faith Mulvey, pose by
a limousine before climbing in for a ride to U.S.
Cellular Field. Paine, a resident at Sunny Hill Skilled
Rehab Center, 421 Doris Ave., attended the June 22
game thanks to an anonymous donor and Second Wind
Dreams.
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Recently, a second dream was fulfilled. Resident Mary Paine,
a lifetime White Sox fan, was able to attend a game in June
thanks, in part, to an anonymous donor who provided tickets
for the avid fan and her niece, Faith Mulvey. Second Wind Dreams
paid for a limousine to ferry the two women to and from U.S.
Cellular Field.
In addition to watching her favorite team defeat Kansas City
5-1 on June 22, she also saw her name in lights, as the White
Sox used the scoreboard to welcome their longtime fan.
Along with her memories of an incredible afternoon, Paine
brought home an autographed picture of her favorite player,
first baseman Paul Konerko.
Second Wind Dreams is the brainchild of P.K. Beville, a geriatric
psychologist. It was founded in January 1997. Today the organization
has chapters in 40 states, Canada, India and Israel. The
Friends of Sunny Hill, Inc. is a lifetime member.
Additional information can be obtained at www.secondwind.org. |
Fri, Oct 10, 05:48pm
