To the community,

Mere words cannot describe what volunteers mean to Barton Skilled Nursing Facility residents.

Barton Skilled Nursing volunteers wear many hats. They play inspiring music, bring communion, and call bingo. Volunteers turn an ordinary birthday party into a trip down memory lane with music from the past. Musicians share ukulele, piano, and organ music with our residents. They honor our vets. Some volunteers bring in their pets to lick faces and shower our residents with love. Other groups bring church to Skilled Nursing residents every Sunday.

In conjunction with the Barton activities staff, volunteers enhance our residents’ quality of life. Volunteers provide art classes every other week. One teacher brings her students in to read stories. Preschool groups visit and put big smiles on the residents’ faces. Other volunteers sit and listen to our residents’ stories and play a game of cards or dominoes. They wheel residents around for a change of scenery, and they even help take residents on outings in South Lake Tahoe. At times, volunteers are with residents when they breathe their last breath.

Thanks to their dedication and extra hands, volunteers make more experiences possible for our residents.

With much admiration and appreciation,

Maureen Froyum, activity director Barton Health Skilled Nursing