Local not-for-profit focused on supporting people in living their best lives
Prompted by a pledge of matching/challenge funds, Meadowlark Foundation announces the “Paving the Way” campaign. Jan Fink Call and Jeff Call, and Dan Fink, have pledged to match, dollar for dollar, up to $40,000 in memory of the late Rev. H. Wayne Fink, to pave a portion of the loop trail which circles Meadowlark’s campus.
The words “grow” and “green” are perfectly suited for Earth Day, which is next Thursday, April 22, so it’s fitting that the 9th annual Grow Green Match Day was purposely planned to coincide with a day designed to increase environmental awareness. On Match Day, “green” donations made through the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation to participating non-profit agencies will “grow” with a 50 percent match.
Effective Friday, March 19, 2021, Meadowlark will officially re-open its Kimball Avenue entrance and suspend usage of the check-point station located on Tuttle Creek Boulevard. Visitors without symptoms of illness, a current or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis, or contact with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test or is under investigation, will be permitted to enter campus. This will include common, public areas in Meadowlark’s Community Center such as Prairie Star Restaurant and the Courtyard.
Residents and others who follow Meadowlark on Facebook may have seen the image above, and at least one resident approached Becky Fitzgerald, Development Director, with questions about this effort. Here’s a recap of that conversation and a bit more information.
Has Meadowlark launched a new fundraising campaign? No, but thank you! While Meadowlark Foundation appreciates an effort to recognize senior care employees in Manhattan, no one currently associated with Meadowlark proposed this Appreciation Fund.
The Kimball Avenue entrance to Meadowlark’s campus will officially open up tomorrow, March 19, after being closed for a year as a COVID-19 safety precaution. Additionally, the cones at the Tuttle Creek entrance will be removed. Visitors will no longer be required to screen at the check-point station. Mask-wearing remains a requirement on Meadowlark’s campus.
Meadowlark is taking steps to invest in the health and wellness of the Manhattan community and its members, specifically those ages 55 years and older, which includes a significant percentage of the local population.
Prior to opening the renovated Prairie Star to residents on Feb. 8, Meadowlark’s leadership team couldn’t help but notice the blank canvas of the neutral-painted walls. Everyone agreed that the new spaces would benefit from the color and interest that works of art lend to our environments.
Jayme Minton and Becky Fitzgerald, staff liaisons to Meadowlark’s resident Art Committee, accepted the task of decking the walls, and they started with paintings already in Meadowlark’s art collection.
Despite Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day 2021, Meadowlark residents and employees have the hope of a healthier spring as the six-week Meadowlark Clean Air campaign comes to a successful conclusion. As of Tuesday, Feb. 2, nearly 60 friends near and far had contributed toward the purchase of Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP) technology, which has been proven to safely and effectively mitigate viruses, bacteria, mold, and insects, both in the air and on surfaces.
The statistics are startling. About 42 percent of COVID-19 related deaths across the nation have occurred in long-term care facilities. While Meadowlark and other Riley County retirement communities haven’t been hit has hard as other Kansas facilities, our organization has not been immune to this novel coronavirus.
This is why two local foundations have teamed up to help provide a safe and proven weapon for Meadowlark’s continued fight against this invisible enemy and other microbial threats.
Meadowlark, The Trust Company and New Boston Creative Group have teamed up to produce the 2020 Meadowlark Holiday Classic. This variety show-esque program will be available on YouTube beginning December 5, 2020, and features many area performing groups with surprise appearances from local celebrities. During a holiday season that will be anything but normal, the show’s sponsors hope to spread joy.