Residents@JV

Good Shepherd Catholic School

Tuesday, March 18, 2008, the Good Shepherd Catholic School’s 5th Grade Class stopped by Jacob’s Village for an Easter Activity. In a constant, steady down-pour of rain, the Good Shepherd school bus pulled into the Jacob’s Village parking lot about 8:45am. Karin Macke, Program Director, and Scott, resident-volunteer, were awaiting their arrival inside looking out at the rain coming down from the Jacob’s Village business office. Parent and volunteer for the class, Karen Martin and 5th Grade teachers Laurie Klein and Joe Mayer stepped out of the bus, into the rain and entered the business office first to check out the room size and facilities. Following the inspection, 7 adults, consisting of parent/volunteers, Susan Baer, Teresa Vincent, Gretchen and the rest, acting as chaperones carried boxes, tubs, and sacks full of party supplies that included games, crafts, prizes, and a jam-box. Led by the volunteers, 38 5th Grade students brought up the rear through the rain eager to release their energy from being confined inside the school bus from their ride from the far North/East side of Evansville. All the students found a seat, some on the sofas, some in chairs and on the floor while the available residents of Jacob’s Village, Wanda, and Mike, opting to leave a little later for work, braved their way through the rain. Having the best interests in mind for Donna Kay’s health, she did not venture out in the nasty weather and was to remain in the Women’s Home. Debbie and Michael could not join in on the activity because they were already at work at this time. Introductions were made welcoming all visitors and a feel-good time of fellowship of making new friends was about to begin. The 5th Grade Class prepared an Easter Bucket full of goodies for each resident, whether they were here to participate with them or not. The decorated Easter-Buckets, imitating Easter-Baskets were filled with the appropriate and decorative grass, plastic eggs, candies of all sorts including a candy necklace, a small bag of jellybeans, a chocolate Easter Bunny on a stick, pencils, a pin-wheel fan, a bottle of bubble solution, and personal hygiene products of Kleenex, deodorant, toothpaste, and a bar of Mickey Mouse soap. A neat little bucket of surprises they had prepared for the residents. Of course, the students of the Good Shepherd Catholic School have been on the Jacob’s Village radar for some time because of what they had already done for the residents. Here a few weeks back, Karen Martin and Susan Baer arranged, organized, and provided a craft day of artwork at Jacob’s Village. A few students, parents and volunteers came out to decorate and update the bulletin boards in the homes. To keep up with the changing seasons, the bulletin boards were worked up with a crafty Easter flavor. Before they departed on that day, they presented the residents with two large puzzles that were in the shape of an egg. They were a puzzle by number layout, one each for the Women’s Home and for the Men’s Home. Each numbered puzzle piece had a picture of a student on it, so the residents would become familiar with their friendly faces. All of what they did on that Saturday, which was fine art work, was done with an ulterior motive…to prepare the residents for this day when they would shower all with Easter Blessings & Cheer. The 5th Grade Class did accomplish that successfully and now back to the Easter Activity. The students divided up into two groups to perform three song and dance act numbers in the more spacious office house. It has always been a blessing that the vacant house awaiting residents, used as the business office, has a floor layout differing from the other two homes. It is wider and more open allowing space for elbow room when larger groups visit and it is often used. The dining room table was moved into the kitchen area on the other side of the island bar so the 38 students would have enough room to perform their song and dance acts. The two groups; one in the living room section and the other in the dining room section where all could be seen, in unison, sang and danced to their well rehearsed choreographed selections. In preparation of the Good Shepherd’s Spring Musical, ‘Back to the 70’s’, the first one was ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees from the 1977 movie ‘Saturday Night Fever’. That was followed by two Christian Rock Gospel songs ‘Yes Lord, Yes Lord’, and ‘We lift your name up high’. Much energy was required and exerted from the students for these songs that had plenty of two-stepping, stretching, twisting, and clapping of the hands. Their feel-good music performances were receptively enjoyed. Afterwards, while Karin Macke had one group on a tour of the homes, the other group played Bingo with Wanda, Mike, and Scott. The two groups switched places with each other following the first tour. With so many students, not meaning there were too many…cause it’s always more the merrier, the ones in between not helping with Bingo or on tour, worked on there many arts-n-crafts items available for them. Time is always critical when trying to fit everything you want to do within a strict schedule. The residents were unable to work on the craft ideas but the students in waiting made some of them up for them. Such as flat, black, cut-out shaped eggs that were full of color underneath the top surface that you could scratch off your own design with a name, each resident received one. Another item they had to work on were the stitched and adhesive crosses that required assembly. Wanda and Mike had to be getting to work after playing and winning a few games of Bingo. Donna Kay, feeling a bit under the weather, stayed indoors with Becky, a Day Companion at Jacob’s Village, but she did not miss out on all the fun. She was the perfect greeter and hostess, introducing and showing off the women’s home to all the visitors. Donna Kay is always thrilled to meet guests and likewise, guests reciprocate her enthusiasm, although the same can be said about each Jacob’s Village resident. There is a super bunch of residents that have become a loving family thanks to the caring and generosity of groups such as the Good Shepherd Catholic School and friends. A lot of fun, a lot of camaraderie, and a lot of prizes of collectible state quarters, stamps, and chocolate candies were shared with all the Bingo winners. A good time was had by all and the students were all on their best behavior. Jacob’s Village looks forward to another activity day with the Good Shepherd’s 5th Grade Class. Many Thank You’s go out to all the parents, teachers, and volunteers for all of their projects they have blessed Jacob’s Village with and for those who made this very enjoyable morning possible.

posted by J V Resident Blog @ 11:15 AM