Kare Bears’ Korner

Hats off to volunteers

Teri Sellers, President

That was the theme for this year’s Kare Bears’ Spring Fling. The hats may not have been flying but they were sure beautifully decorating the tables at this year’s volunteer appreciation breakfast!

The more than 400 registered volunteers are the heart and soul of Kare Bears. They do everything from driving our residents to and from medical appointments, baking for special events such as Kare Bears Presents to staffing the Kare Bear house to answer questions and loan out medical equipment. There are also volunteers working as coordinators from their homes connecting with residents in their units or surrounding units.

On Wednesday, April 11, 130 of those volunteers attended this special event and had a wonderful breakfast complete with a mimosa. As they dined, they were serenaded by our very own Desert Rovers.

Ten Year pins were awarded out to Hope Ewest, Debbie Fox, Anne Gorman, Diane Greeneich, Anthony Guerriero, Muriel Hiller, Bob Lang, Judy Layton, Joseph Lupo, Diana Martel, Sandra Merriweather, Harriet Quail, Virginia Robinson, Julie Schilling, Catherine and Gordon Seaman, Joan and Tony Suriano and Donald York.

The very first 20-year pin was given to Sandy Donovan and boy, was she surprised! Her special pin and a gorgeous bouquet of flowers was given to her in recognition of her dedication to Kare Bears.

This special event was coordinated by Kare Bear board member LindaJo Orinski and her team of volunteers.

All I can say is hats off to all volunteers! Thank you for everything that you do.

Kare Bears presents: Your skin exposure and Arizona sun

Linda Jo Orinski

This month is one of our more important presentations for Kare Bear Presents! Since we live in the blazing AZ sun during our warmer/hot months, it is so important to learn about what this exposure is doing to your skin and the possibilities of skin cancer and other sun related illness. Our speaker for the month of May is Dr. Sameera Raza, joining us from the Abrazo Team! She is board certified in Family Medicine and will be sharing information on sun-related illness and complications such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion and skin cancers!

Dr. Raza graduated from the University of Palackeho, Czech Republic and completed her residency at the University of New York at Buffalo. She received a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of New York at Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute in New York. Dr. Raza has written and co-written numerous publications regarding SIDS, Lung Cancer and Neuroblastoma. She treats patients of all ages with both acute and chronic medical illnesses.

You do not want to miss this presentation on May 23 at the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom, from 11:00 a.m.-noon.

Your attendance and the refreshments are free.

Health and Wellness board position

Teri Sellers

For the past three years, Hilary Coltman has done an awesome job as the Kare Bear Health and Wellness Director. She is now retiring from this position but will be training her replacement and introducing the new director to the fantastic special volunteers that work to ensure that the special events Kare Bears provides to the residents go smoothly.

The Health and Wellness Directors coordinates several events each year. They include blood drives, hearing tests, AED/CPR training and AARP Safe Driving classes.

Kare Bears is looking for someone that can continue the tradition of ensuring that these events take place. Most of these events are fairly routine in scheduling and the residents look forward to them. Over the past few years, Hilary has added a few extras that can be continued if the new director wishes.

Please contact either president, Teri Sellers at 602-793-0299 or [email protected] or president-elect Joyce Van Ornam at 602-318-4666 or [email protected] for more information.

Red Door Spa is coming to Kare Bears presents

Linda Jo Orinski

Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Red Door Spa is coming to PebbleCreek to talk about skin care and protecting the skin, especially living in the hot AZ sun!

The topics discussed by Kim Johnston, Lead Aesthetician for the Red Door Spa, will be as follows: discussing summer skin concerns: Protecting the skin; Difference in sunblocks; Antioxidant protection, Different skin care treatments the Red Door Spa offers.

This presentation will go hand and hand with our April 23 presentation regarding skin cancer and sun illness presented by an Abrazo Doctor, Sameera Raza. You do not want to miss either of these presentations! Mark your calendars now!

The date for Red Door Spa presentation is May 11 in the Tuscany Chianti Room from 11:00 a.m.-noon. This is the Friday prior to Mother’s Day! We will have a gift basket drawing and samples from the Red Door Spa. Seating is limited. If you would like to attend this Kare Bear Presents please email me at [email protected]. There will also be signup sheets posted and locations where you can sign up will be notified via e-group email closer to the date.

Refreshments and attendance are both free for both presentations!

Mark your calendars with Kare Bears

Joyce Van Ornam

May 1: The Kare Bears house at 15383 W. Cheery Lynn Rd. changes to summer hours, Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m.-noon. These hours will remain in effect through October 31.

May 7 and 8: Skin Cancer Screening from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. There will be a Mobile Wellness Van in the Eagle’s Nest parking lot across from the Activities Office. Sign up across from the Eagle’s Nest pro shop.

May 11: The Red Door Spa is coming to PebbleCreek in the Chianti Room at Tuscany from 11:00 a.m.-noon. Enjoy this free presentation on skin care and summertime skin protection. Email [email protected] or watch for e-group sign-up sheet locations.

May 11: Hearing tests will be given in the Capri Room from 10:00 a.m.-noon. Sign up across from the Eagle’s Nest pro shop.

May 21-23: There will be a Mobile Wellness Van in the Tuscany Falls parking lot between Tuscano’s and the Sales Office. Sign up across from the Eagle’s Nest Pro Shop and watch for details.

May 23: Listen to Dr. Sameera Raza’s presentation on Your Skin and the Arizona Sun at Kare Bears Presents 11:00 a.m.-noon in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom.

May 24: Join a tour of Abrazo Hospital and lunch at 10:00 a.m. by signing up in the Kare Bears House 623-536-1200.