During the Sutton Community Home’s annual meeting Monday, many updates were given about the home and the construction project, and three returning members and one new member were voted in.
Returning members Martha Sheridan, Keenan Friesen, and Katie VanderLey were unanimously voted back to the board.
Sheridan will be starting her third three-year term, while Friesen and VanderLey will be entering their fourth year. New member Donna Yost was also voted onto the board.
Kyle Overturf, CPA/PFS with AMGL, gave a financial report. He said that while SCH is in good standings financially, it was a tough year; however, that struggle is not just an issue for Sutton.
Overturf noted how many homes do not turn a profit, and one out of 10 were in the positive at the end of a fiscal year.
Other homes have had to close due to the financial struggles becoming too much.
There was some good news though, as Bruce Trautman, SCH Foundation vice president, announced the capital campaign for the remodeling project hit $1.3 million.
To begin construction, they need to raise $2 million, which Trautman said they plan to do as soon as possible. The project is shovel-ready, meaning once they hit the $2 million mark, remodeling will begin immediately.
ASHLEY D SWANSON| CLAY COUNTY NEWS The foundation has received pledges, gifts, stock to cash out, IRA account donations, and several people have already said they’ll donate grain once harvest begins.
“We are not giving up,” Trautman said.
With a strong support system behind them and several prospects in the works, the pathway to achieving the project is clear, SCH Board president Sheila Griess said.
From the board’s perspective, SCH has had a great year, with the home being recognized as Friends of the Community in January; serving as the Dugout Days grand marshal; hitting their first goals in raising funds for the remodel; and celebrating 60 years.
She thanked the SCH staff for their hard work and dedication to the residents, as well as to those who have continually worked to keep the home running.
SCH Auxiliary President Roselyn Korb gave an update for the last year, starting off by thanking Liz Griess who served as president for several years and put in a lot of work doing so.
Currently, there are 25 members in the auxiliary. In the past year they’ve given birthday cards to all residents; gotten kuchen for Christmas and other sweets throughout the year; helped host bingo and bought prizes for bingo once a month; hosted bake sales; raised money through membership dues; and hosted a raffle at Dugout Days.
Through all of their fundraising, the auxiliary has been able to purchase a number of items for the residents, including toilet seat risers; harnesses; clothing protectors; a dryer and vacuum; two oxygenators; tumblers; exercisers; a top loading washer; and AED and trainer AED machines, among others.
In total, all they’ve purchased cost $5,982.73. Anyone is welcome to join the auxiliary; they meet the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Nolde Center.
SCH Administrator Amy Schelkopf also gave her thanks to the SCH staff, and talked about goals they set and achieved in the past year.
• Historically challenging staff turnover—due to a high turnover of staff, SCH has had to rely heavily on agency nurses, which are nursing staff brought in from around the state, or in some cases other states.
In the past year, they’ve accomplished using virtually no agency, and are now able to offer health insurance to staff, resulting in a stable and skilled team.
• Expansion of activities— with the help of the van, they’ve been able to take residents on more trips to museums, state fair, and Sweet Treat. Additionally, they’ve added more crafting activities, Bible studies, games, and more.
• Cost containment—they’ve been diligent in monitoring finances and eliminated unnecessary costs, to help SCH stay in a better financial state.
• Community engagement— they’ve worked hard to foster meaningful relationships with the community.
Of course, with every business, there are expenses, and due to the aging building many of them have come with keeping the building going, including electricity issues.
SCH has set more ambitious goals for the upcoming year they hope to achieve.
Schelkopf also gave thanks and appreciation to Shelia Griess, who will be stepping down as president of the SCH Board.
“You have invested your heart into the Sutton Community Home,” she said, later adding, “Thank you for your integral part of this.”
