BEMIDJI — Residents at the Bemidji Veterans Home are enjoying an extra dose of attention as the holiday season ensues.
As a special Christmas gift, members of the Walker American Legion Riders Post No. 134 recently paid a visit to the veterans home, bringing holiday cheer by playing music and handing out tasty treats.
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“So many members ask ‘How do we do things for vets other than just giving money out?’ And this is part of what we really like to do,” said Brad Taylor, director of the Legion Riders. “It’s easy to write a check, but when you actually get out and get involved, that’s what’s really cool.”
The afternoon’s music was provided by Riders Chaplain Ryan Pels and his wife, Joanne, who is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Walker.
Taylor said the Legion members try to get out in the surrounding community as much as they can and have been big supporters of the veterans home since it opened earlier this year.
Many of their members participated in the flag line at the home’s flag-raising ceremony in January, and they made another trip up to Bemidji in September to donate two large televisions to the home for community spaces.
Recreation Therapy Director Dawn Huseby said the support the home has received all year has been amazing, but they’ve seen a major influx of folks showing up to support their residents as they celebrate their first Christmas in the home.
“We're so grateful for all the community involvement and support we have gotten this holiday season for our residents,” she said. “People have just been lining up. They’re just … everywhere. Moved to give and ready to help. It’s been overwhelming, in a good way.”
Maryhelen Chadwick, public affairs and volunteer coordinator, commented on how impressed she’s been by all the fun and creative ways people have found to show their support.
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“Just so many really thoughtful, really creative things,” she said. “You know, there are people who come in and perform like today, and people who have made donations, people who send cards from offices, youth groups, some 4-H groups. We've even had some carolers come in, which the residents just loved.”
Huseby said a highlight for her was when the residents all pitched in to help make decorations for the communal spaces in the home.
“They all got really involved in making their own decorations and making it all look beautiful, you know, because it’s their home,” she added. “So, that’s a nice thing. They are so enthusiastic.”
The Red Cross gifted the home several tickets to a recent Bemidji State men’s hockey game for residents to attend for the special Military Appreciation Night.
“And they stayed the whole time,” Huseby said of the residents. “The game went into overtime, and we stayed. We left here at 6 and got back here at almost 11. I gave them the option to stay for the overtime and they all said, ‘Yep, we’re staying.’ I was like, OK. And oh how they loved it.”
Chadwick sees all the extracurricular activities as a way to ensure the residents get to live out their lives with dignity and a feeling of choice, just like anyone else would want.
“They do an interactive coffee group where they sit and talk about different areas, different countries,” she said. “They talk about news and events. They do art things, whether it’s painting or woodworking, and they just really like to get involved. The rehab gym is always busy, too. So we have a real active population.”
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Staff make all the difference
While the home has a capacity for 72 residents, it is currently sitting at 27 due to a need for more staff members.
Chadwick encourages anyone interested in serving America’s veterans to as the more staff they have on hand, the greater the impact the home will have in the community and beyond.
“The staff makes all the difference,” she said. “I mean, we need more people, but the staff we have has been amazing. So many families have said it makes them feel good that their resident is here. I’m privileged to work here because my colleagues are terrific, everybody has the same mission, so it’s really simple.”
And the residents agree.
Jim Larson, who was the first to move into the home back in February, said it’s the staff who make things great for him and his fellow residents.
“You know, there’s no place like home, but if I’ve got to be in another place, I want to be in this one,” he added. “It’s the staff who make it so good. They just make you feel like you’re the only one here.”
He said he can’t believe all the fun things he’s gotten to do since moving into the home.
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“We went bowling, we went fishing, we were riding down in the park when the leaves were changing, and I’ll tell ya, they just bend over backward for us. They’ve got people here that have things like this going all the time,” Larson said, gesturing to the music event. “The staff do not get enough credit for everything they do.”
For Larson’s friend Art Reistad, the activities and staff dedication are major highlights of what makes living at the home special.
“They have a good selection of things here because you know, not everybody likes the same thing, but they’ve got a very good selection,” he added. “I don’t think there’s another place in the country that has what we have here. It’s special.”
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