The Lodge at Bethany recently hosted a fun "Splash Day" for its residents, complete with a giant Slip 'N Slide.
“We kicked-off summer with our annual luau -- with a twist," Jerri Mathis, Bethany Director of Engagement, said. "Everyone dressed with matching t-shirts or Hawaiian themed outfits and flower leis. We had bubbles, bubble machines, water balloons, and water squirt guns to keep everyone cooled off and participating in the entertainment.”
Regina Bell, Executive Director shared, “This allowed our residents to revisit their childhood of enjoying hot days cooled by water fun.“
Bethany's Slip 'N Slide was perfectly placed, strategically laid out, and fully prepared for safety and fun. Mathis, her staff, and volunteers put together a spectacular activity with this idea. The Lodge was ready on this warm and breezy summer afternoon to help its residents have fun, which is an important Bethany value.
The Statesboro Fire Department and Bulloch Solutions/Bulloch Telephone also came with their community attitude of sharing, giving, and participating for this spectacular June 2024 day.
Our Statesboro Fire Department helped assemble and operate the giant Slip ‘N Slide, and Bulloch Solutions brought their traveling ‘Sweet Treats Ice Cream’ truck. They treated every resident, guest, staff member, and visitor with an amazing assortment of ice cream treats, pops, and ice cream sandwiches.
“What a blast!," shared Carrie Binns, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Bulloch Solutions. ”We love an afternoon well spent in the community. Being out with the ice cream truck, spreading happiness to those in Bulloch County, always brings us so much joy as a company.”
With giving hearts and muscle, SFD, Bethany staff, and volunteers carefully assisted interested residents onto the large rubber floats on the giant Slip ‘N Slide. Resident Mary Hayes was seated in the ‘rubber duck’ float with SFD's help and was pulled along the giant slide laughing all the way down and back.
Colleen Winslette, Hayes’s daughter, added happily, “My Mum loves being outside in the fresh air with all her friends. She liked being around lots of people and having fun!”
“I loved watching the seniors feel young again," added Haley B. McNure, Coordinator at Bethany. "Everyone jumped right in, whether it was trying the Slip ‘N Slide, shooting each other with water guns, or participating in the water balloon fight. This is just one example of how Bethany is different and how the residents come to live.”
According to Mathis, Bethany's values play a big part in the community's success. She says the Splash Day was a true example of ‘Bethany’ values: "Every day is a celebration. We come together to share the joy. Every act is one of compassion. We care for each other and are richer for it!"
Bell added, "We could never do all that we do without the support of our staff and volunteers. We are confident we live better together.”
Special thanks to the Statesboro Fire Department for providing the ‘muscle’ and Bulloch Solutions/Bulloch Telephone for the ‘Sweet Treat Ice Cream’ truck.
