What’s New at RiverWoods

RiverWoods Auxiliary Enhances the Comfort & Enjoyment of Residents

December 3, 2006

The purpose of the RiverWoods Gift shop and the RiverWoods Auxiliary is for the same reason – to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of the residents of the Nursing Care Center of RiverWoods Senior Living Community.  And since 1970, the Auxiliary strives hard to fulfill that mission.

The Auxiliary has over 550 members from approximately 25 United Methodist churches within the surrounding communities as well as other denominations who work together to improve the lives of RiverWoods residents.  The auxiliary has raised funds to provide many items, including a 14 passenger bus, several television sets for the nursing units, chairs for the multi-purpose room, wheel chairs, and most recently, a lift chair for the residents - all of which are not included in the RiverWoods operating budget.   All of these items help to enhance the excellent daily care the residents already receive.

The auxiliary has several ways in which it raises money.    The RiverWoods Gift Shop opened in 1971, and to date, has generated over $250,000.  The gift shop has two locations: off the lobby of the Nursing Care Center as well as in the RidgeCrest Café.  There is a woodshop located on campus that is solely available to resident volunteers.  The wood shop has been supplying the Gift Shop with hand crafted wooden items since 1993.  The auxiliary also sponsors a bake sale at the RiverWoods Car Show and Rock-A-Thon events each year.  All proceeds are used to purchase items that enhance the comfort and enjoyment of residents. 

Melissa Stiner, RiverWoods Nursing Care Center Administrator remarks, "The auxiliary is such a vital and active group—anything the residents need, they provide."

Phyllis Close, resident of a Garden Cottage at RiverWoods since 1994, is the Chair of the Gift Shop Committee.  Mrs. Close has been managing  the Shop since 1995, and is responsible for selecting and pricing new items and reporting the earnings to the Auxiliary at their monthly meetings.  Twenty-five volunteers keep the Gift Shop open six days a week from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.  During the first three weeks in December, the hours have been extended from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. 

“I enjoy being a part of the gift shop and Auxiliary because I like to see the residents get the little extra items that make life easier and a little more enjoyable,” said Mrs. Close.

Auxiliary meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of March, April, June, September, October, and November at 12:30 p.m. in Marlow Hall.  RiverWoods' Dietary department provides a complimentary light lunch.  Churches from the Lewisburg District of the United Methodist Church volunteer to prepare a program that includes a devotional time and entertainment for each meeting.  A church member is responsible for signing up new members of the Auxiliary.  Membership is $1 per year and $25 for lifetime membership and is open to any church interested in supporting the residents.

Gloria Burrows, who is serving her second year as Auxiliary President, has been a member for about ten years now. 

“I truly enjoy helping other people and find the meetings relaxing and informative,” Gloria commented, speaking of why she is a member.

Wes Leidig, Executive Director adds, "The auxiliary offers so much for the residents of the RiverWoods community, and we appreciate how they reach out to help others."

For more information on the Auxiliary or how to become a member, please contact the RiverWoods Senior Living Community at (570) 524-2271.