Local Facebook group “Chatty LaGrange Women” volunteer to inspire residents at LaGrange Nursing and Rehab Monday

Published 8:05 am Tuesday, August 11, 2020

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A local Facebook page called “Chatty LaGrange Women” partnered with other local organizations to donate goodies and draw inspiring images on resident’s windows at LaGrange Nursing and Rehab. 

“We planned this in about two weeks,” said Dana Martin with Georgia Homecare, which oversees the nursing home. “We are bringing some love to the residents. We are doing some window painting and other little things. We are setting beautifully painted rocks on the windows.”

Chatty LaGrange Woman also made decals that were stuck onto the windows for residents as well. 

According to the Georgia Department of Health, the nursing home saw multiple residents diagnosed with COVID-19, and 20 of its residents have died from the virus. 

Martin said things have gotten tremendously better since then. 

“We are excited because this facility has been COVID free for a month now,” Martin said. “We are trying to cheer them up after a long, hard time. The staff here is incredible and wants to put their best foot forward.” 

Local law enforcement officers with the LaGrange Police Department and Troup County Sheriff’s Office also attended Monday morning to help draw on the windows and pass out treats to the staff. 

“It is such an important thing for us to be out here spreading joy to these residents who have gone through such a hard time,” said Sheriff James Woodruff. 

“We want to thank the workers who are out here every day and for the sacrifices they make. We were glad to be invited and chosen to come out here, help put rocks in the windows and paint on the windows.”

Local Chatty Women and volunteers and children at Susan’s Early Learning Center donated painted rocks with inspirational messages written on them. 

“I have a personal passion for taking care of the elderly,” said Lorna Strickland with Chatty LaGrange Women. 

“Chatty LaGrange Women for the last couple of years have adopted this facility for Christmas and other times of the year. We knew they were in trouble when the COVID-19 crisis hit.” 

Strickland said the ‘Chatties’ wanted to find a way to lift the spirits of residents at the nursing home. 

“We wanted to let them know they are noticed,” Strickland said. 

“The staff and the residents need to know that we care and that we know what they are going through. It is very exciting now that the nursing home is 100% COVID free. We just love these people.”