Former Chinook resident gave a unique "Thank You" to nursing home residents

Glenna Hiner Schaible grew up in Chinook. She was raised by her Grandma Lucille Finley Nash, a lifetime resident of Chinook. Glenna explained, "Grandma was a strong Christian woman who had a hard life but was always strong. She didn't have much but always had enough and raised me that way. I was looking to give something back to this small town where she lived that would honor and respect the memory of my grandma. I know that Grandma Lucille would approve such a gesture."

A serious quilter, Glenna had an idea for how she would honor her grandmother. Glenna made quilts for each of the 37 residents at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home. Glenna's more than a casual quilter. She shared that she has acquired longarm quilting machines and, over the years, as an ex-home economics teacher, taught many classes for adults. She decided to use her quilting skills to make gifts for the special folks at the nursing home in her home town.

Glenna said she has a warm spot for seniors. She observed as her Grandma Lucille aged, "She had fewer visitors and opportunities for social interactions." She took her grandmother in to live with her until her death. Recently Glenna called the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home staff and they welcomed her idea for a homemade quilt to each resident.

So, on a recent Wednesday afternoon, during the social hour, Glenna and her friend, Dorothy Thompson, began letting gathered residents pick a quilt of their choice. Then nursing home staff began to deliver quilts to residents who could not attend the social hour gathering. Once a quilt was selected, the new owner's name was put on the back. Glenna said, "I wanted the quilts to be a sign to the residents at Sweet Home that they are still loved. And the gifts were also a way for me to honor Gram." Glenna and the nursing home staff agreed the quilts were well received by residents.

Rebecca Shackelford, Administrator at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home, wrote of the quilt gifting: "For our residents to be thought of by community members past and present is a definite blessing. Glenna had a wonderful gift to hand deliver to each one of our residents and for that we are so thankful. Not only is it a kind gesture, but makes everyone at Sweet Home feel loved and thought of in a way that only small towns and their community members can relate to."

Regarding the response from the staff and residents at the Sweet Home, Glenna shared, "Thanks for reaching out and I hope the light shines just a little brighter to the folks in Chinook." And no doubt Grandma Lucille would "approve of the gesture."