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Choices donates two patient lifts to Manor

September 1, 2015

By Jim Eadie

The volunteers at Choices Thrift and Gift Shop in Bancroft inched a little bit closer to one million dollars in donations to health related non profit programs in north Hastings this week with a donation of $15,273.32 to Hastings Centennial Manor to pay for two very much needed patient lifts. This remarkable group of women, and at least one man, has supported everything from hospital to hospice, and food banks to long-term care.
“We all may end up here one day,” said Choices volunteer Joan Foster on Aug. 28 as a group of volunteers, and Manor residents and staff gathered to celebrate the gift of two new patient lifts. “Volunteering two days a week at Choices is good for me … it helps me take care of myself while at the same time helping look after the needs of other people too,” she said.
Manor Personal Support Workers (PSW) Jennifer Luckovitch and Michelle Trumble quietly expressed their thanks on behalf of the residents and staff.
“It makes our job ten times easier and safer for everyone,” said Trumble. “We don’t have to do the lifting for residents to get out of their wheelchair to go to the bathroom, or get to their bed. I don’t have any back problems yet, but I still have 15 years to work!”
Trumble noted that staff is well trained in methods of lifting safely, but the new lifts take the strain off of backs, and give an added sense of security to the resident.
Luckovitch also pointed out that the new standup lift is especially helpful for residents suffering from the effects of stroke where one leg may not be able to be used by the resident due to paralysis.
Choices volunteer Reatta Fransky later expressed their appreciation to the newspaper for reporting on their community work. “People see where the money goes … that is stays right here in our local communities,” she said. “Then they come in and support our store, and bring in their donations.”
Choices Gift and Thrift Shop has been selling donated gently used clothing and household items since 1991, and to date has raised a total of $723,000 for local community health related programs.