Resident of the Year
Mavis Luehrs of Where The Heart Is in Burlington, Washington Receives Frontier Management Award
November 3, 2010
What began as a normal day for Where The Heart Is resident Mavis Luehrs on November 3rd quickly turned in to a grand celebration. Nothing seemed unusual when a friend came to pick her up for a hair appointment, but Mavis, being a bright and youthful 98 year old, soon felt that something special was happening when dear friends and family began arriving. In on the surprise, her family alluded to a surprise birthday celebration for a fellow resident. It was not until the focus turned to Mavis that she became fully aware that, in fact, the “commotion” was for her.
Mavis Luehrs (second from left) is congratulated by Greg Roderick, Frontier Management President & CEO; Maria Swift, Executive Director of Where the Heart Is; and, Matt Dunham, Frontier Executive Vice President (L-R) |
Mavis was being named Frontier Management Resident of the Year! The annual award was presented by Greg Roderick, President, and Matt Dunham, Executive Vice President, of Frontier Management along with Maria Swift, Executive Director for Where The Heart Is.
The recognition of Mavis was made special because her family and friends were by her side and by the attendance of local dignitaries - Bob LeRoy - CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association Washington Central Chapter, Linda Fergusson - CEO Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Lynn Rabenstein - Hospice of the Northwest, Steve Sexton – Burlington Mayoral Candidate and Burlington City Councilman, Larry Otos – Mt. Vernon Mayoral Candidate, Edie Edmundson - Burlington City Councilman, Bryan Harrison –Burlington City Administrator, Katie Drewel - Office of Kristine Lytton, Chief Glen Staheli - Burlington Fire Department, Lisa Swanberg – Burlington Chamber of Commerce.
Mavis moved to Where The Heart Is in 2008 and often reflects on how she has enjoyed every moment at the community. She is quick to share how glad she is that she made the transition from living independently in her own home to what she fondly calls her “new home” at Where The Heart Is. Mavis has been a “crafter” most of her life and has merged this with her love for knitting by making hats she donates to many local charities and organizations such as The Skagit Valley Herald Christmas Fund, Children in Africa, and North Dakota Orphanages. She also enjoys sharing her caps with employees of the community. Taking her passion a step further, Mavis also knits hats that are for sale at Where The Heart Is with all proceeds being donated to the community Resident Activities Fund.
Mavis is a very caring person and her kindness stretches beyond her neighbors and friends, there is love woven into each hat she makes and each smile that is shared. Mavis has a love for God and a natural ability to care for others. This gift is shared every day in her kind words and gentle touches to her fellow residents and the staff at Where The Heart Is.
Knowing how important giving is to Mavis, Mr. Roderick presented her with a $1000 check to be donated in her honor to the Skagit Valley Herald Christmas Fund and an additional $200 toward the supplies needed for her knitting group. Mavis said, “I am speechless at the gift and so very thankful children will benefit from her receiving the award from Frontier Management.”
Frontier Management’s Resident of the Year Award seeks to recognize individual residents who have made an extraordinary contribution to the community as a whole over the previous year. This program recognizes the achievements of an individual resident for contributions that have positively influenced the quality of life of other residents or resident’s families; improved the quality of life of people surrounding town or city by their actions; or improved the quality of the working environment for Frontier’s employees or their families. Mavis was chosen Resident of the Year from over 4000 other possible residents.