News
A gift for a special group of people
Scott Wagar
03/31/2015
The Good Samaritan Society-Bottineau (GSS-B) is in the process of renovating its center in a unique way because it is being done through community volunteers who wish to assist the residents and staff in improving the facility they live and work in.
“Renovation work hasn’t been done at the home for a very long time and it’s just time to update the building,” said Diane Dignan, board member of the Good Samaritan Society-Bottineau. “These people are my favorite people in the whole world and I just want to improve things for them.”
Dignan stated that the project is being completed by the churches in the community through volunteer work. Each Tuesday at the center, a group of volunteers meet at the center to remove items from the walls on the hallways, strip the wallpaper from the walls, texture the walls and give the hallways a new coat of paint.
At the present moment, five to eight people come each Tuesday to assist in the project, but Dignan would like to see more volunteers come out and assist in the project.
For Pastor Carol Wendel of Metigoshe Lutheran Church, who is the volunteer coordinator for the renovation project, she stated that volunteering for this project is important because the GSS-B plays an important part in our community and the residents’ lives.
“Any kind of project of this magnitude is incredibly expensive so it is important to volunteer to assist this project financially,” Wendel said. “The Good Samaritan has been such an important part of this community, both for providing a place for our friends and relatives to live in their later years, but also as a source of employment in our community.
“And, it only makes sense that when the Good Samaritan Society-Bottineau is beginning such an undertaking that people would jump in and invest in the home,” Wendel added.
Wendel stated that she would like to see at least 20 to 25 volunteers each Tuesday.
“The more volunteers mean cutting the cost,” she said. “As well as provide a nice surrounding for the residents and staff.”
It has been slow going for those already involved in the project. In four weeks, the group has completed the painting in the entryway and west wing of the facility.
The volunteers are currently working on the east and north wings but have a ways to go before they will finish these hallways.
Once the hallways are complete, the group plans to do renovation work in the solarium and cafeteria, which includes purchasing new furniture in the dining hall through different types of fundraisers.
Volunteers in the projects received a free noon dinner and two lunch breaks through GSS-B.
Individuals who are interested in volunteering, can contact Wendel at 228-2172; or, Jonathan Stone, administrator of the Good Samaritan Society-Bottineau, at 228-3796.