Crystal Hinman interacts with a resident at Homestead, which she said is her favorite part of volunteering for the Giving Garden.
Nancy Wickersheim and Crystal Hinman walk through the doors of Homestead of Eudora each week with homemade bouquets eager to put smiles on residents’ faces.
They are greeted as they decorate the cafeteria tables with flowers that brighten up the room.
Volunteers with the Eudora Giving Garden make bouquets and deliver them to Homestead and Medicalodges once a week from June to October. Each bouquet has native flowers grown from the Giving Garden, Hinman said.
“When I heard we could take flowers to them, I knew that’s exactly what I wanted to do,” she said. “We have to take care of each other.”
They make 12 bouquets for Homestead and 14 for Medicalodges for their cafeteria tables, along with a larger vase for each nursing home.
Wickersheim said her goal is to make the residents feel included in the Eudora community.
“I think our people in nursing homes get left out a lot,” she said. “They recognize us and will always take a hug. Our nurses need the credit, though. They always have a smile on their faces.”
Some residents, like Joy Moeckel from Homestead, are not originally from the Eudora area. For them, the flowers show that community members care about senior residents.
“I think it makes the residents here feel welcome and they’re part of the community, even though they moved from somewhere else,” she said. “It’s wonderful.”
Linda Iyer, who also volunteers, began taking bouquets last summer. The weekly bouquets helped her make connections with residents while also giving her a hobby, she said.
“It’s not just nice for the residents. I’ll admit, it’s nice for me, too,” she said. “It has enriched my life, and I feel useful. Being a part of their community fills me up.”
Speech therapists who visit with residents utilize the flowers as a tool during sessions, she said.
“It helps to start conversations and to get people talking,” Iyer said. “It helps people to initiate conversations about flowers and that sort of thing. It just enriches people’s lives in so many different ways.”
Iyer’s favorite part is visiting with residents, whether it’s about flowers or reminiscing on their own gardens, she said.
“Community is what it’s all about,” she said. “I’m 72, and I just love talking about my memories and to listen to their memories about their gardens.”
Giving Garden board member Stephanie Jones said the mission of the garden is to benefit the community and get them more involved with nature.
“It’s important for the Giving Garden to do this kind of thing with the flowers and produce we plant,” Jones said. “Nature has a way to bridge the community. It’s a healing place. I’m glad we can be a small part of that with our flowers.”
To Wickersheim, delivering the bouquets each week is more than just dropping off flowers. It’s a chance to make a lasting connection, she said.
“They deserve that tender touch,” she said. “People here work their tails off and have less time. You just come and do your thing, and it’s so rewarding.”
Hinman and Wickersheim are both involved with the senior community in other ways. Wickersheim has taught square dance lessons for seniors. Hinman volunteers by bringing library books to both nursing homes each week.
Library Director Carol Wohlford said the library has been taking books to the nursing homes for as long as she can remember. Hinman took on the task a few years ago, she said.
“It’s really important to have contact with them,” she said. “Many of them used to be patrons of the library. Crystal is very personable. This is just something we should do.”
Hinman enjoys the opportunity to make meaningful connections with senior residents, she said.
“It’s rewarding for me,” she said. “To see Nancy and the other ladies do it is a wonderful thing. It feels good all day.”
Reach reporter Maya Smith at [email protected].