Plants Add Happiness

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Damian delivered a pick up full of various Poinsettias to residents of the Borgess Nursing Home last year.

An Interview with Damian Elrod of Portage, Michigan

We all try to do what we can for others during the holiday season. Hearing other people's stories can bring just as much warmth and happiness as our own giving. The following is the story of a friend of mine from last Christmas. Damian Elrod is a senior in the Bronson School of Nursing Program at WMU. As with all nursing programs, clinical rotations in gerontology, pediatrics, etc. are part of the program.

Last year,Damian was doing his clinical gerontology rotation and found the seniors an enjoyable, kind and encouraging group of patients to work with. "We all bonded with the seniors in this rotation. They were so patient with us and we learned so much more from them than just hearing about their health care needs."

During this rotation, Damian and the other nursing students attended a Student Gerontological Interest Society meeting in which the instructor encouraged them to think of ways in which the students could help brighten up the holidays for the elderly that reside in nursing homes.

Soon after this assignment was given, Damian's wife, Kathy, called me. Kathy and I had gone to high school together and while we were chatting, Damian asked her to ask me what Wenke's did with the leftover poinsettias after the holidays. I explained we closed the retail store after the holidays and any remaining plants were either thrown away or given to non-profit groups that could use them.

Damian suggested the idea of donating the unsold poinsettias to seniors needing care and living at the Borgess Nursing Home and if he could pursue the idea with his instructor. I agreed.

"Borgess Nursing Home was delighted with the idea and had been looking for a donation that would be applicable for all seniors to brighten up their holidays, "says Damian. "Wenke Greenhouse staff helped to sleeve and box the poinsettias before leaving on Christmas Eve. Fortunately my father-in-law, Paul, had a truck with an extended, covered cab and was willing to volunteer to help us deliver the poinsettias. It sort of became a family affair in addition to a project for school. The residents were delighted with the plants and there were enough poinsettias for every senior to have and enjoy one plus a few extra for the nurses/care giver stations too. The poinsettias really brightened up the place and created a lot of happiness for the residents."

Wenke Greenhouses is interested in hearing ideas of how giving plants can bring happiness to someone. If you have an idea and are wiling to implement it during the holiday, give me a call at (269) 349-7882. We would be delighted to donate remaining poinsettias to a good cause. Depending on the quantity of extras, plants can be picked up late Dec. 24, the 25th or the 26th.