UH Employee Celebrates 90th Birthday

By Benny Fairchild

CANTON – Every morning when Gail Butler arrives at work, the first thing she does is visit with residents and sing to them while they’re eating breakfast. On the morning of May 11^th though, residents flipped the script and began singing to her when she walked into the dining room.

Mrs. Butler described the scene. “It was quite a surprise. They had on party hats and had blowers. It was great.”

The reason for their singing was May 11^th wasn’t just another day at the office. It was Gail Butler’s 90^th birthday.

Mrs. Butler began working for the nursing home 33 years ago as a CNA when it was known as the Moongate Nursing Home. However, her career with the United Helpers Organization did not begin until she had already raised her 12 children, starting with the company at the age of 57.

After working as a CNA, she transitioned into medical records and then spent time working in the activities department. Today, she works as an administrative assistant/receptionist, where she is the smiling face greeting, visitors, staff and residents alike three days a week.

When asked if she envisioned herself still working at the age of 90, Mrs. Butler laughed. “I had no idea,” she said. Prior to joining United Helpers, she worked in home care for 5 years. Before that time, she was a stay-at-home mom, who also helped care for the children of several teachers who lived in the area.

“I did that while my kids were growing up,” she said.

Her tenure at United Helpers also included a brief stay as a patient following a broken hip. “I think I was here for a couple of weeks,” she said, adding in her mind there was never any doubt she would return to work.

“I wasn’t going to let that stop me,” she said. “As long as I can keep on going, I’m going to keep on working.”

Mrs. Butler’s 90^th birthday also included gifts, a cookout, and visits from several people who had worked with Mrs. Butler over the years, but had already retired.

Amongst the gifts was a photo album put together by staff, with photos of Mrs. Butler from throughout her time at United Helpers. “I couldn’t believe all the pictures,” she said. “That really brought back a lot of memories.”

In addition to her 12 children, she also has 23 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren – a total of 35 grandchildren across two different generations.

On the day before her birthday Mrs. Butler’s family held a surprise party including more than 60 guests. “How they kept that quiet for two months, I’ll never know,” she said, adding, “I was very surprised.”

In addition to her duties as an administrative assistant, Mrs. Butler volunteers her time with the activities department, hosting monthly karaoke sessions with the residents. When other guests are performing Mrs. Butler can often be seen dancing with residents and sometimes joining other entertainers for a song or two.

Mark Darou, of the Canton Goldenaires Barbershop Choir has sung with Mrs. Butler on many occasions. “She’s the best Patsy Cline around,” he said.

Prior to the cookout, the Goldenaires serenaded Mrs. Butler with Happy Birthday and a few other songs personalized to match her name. Mrs. Butler closed out the performance, at their request, with the Patsy Cline hit, “I Fall to Pieces.”

She also prides herself on having two very green thumbs, helping to care for vegetable gardens and flower gardens around the property.

“Gail really is an amazing lady who is a bundle of energy and we’re lucky to have her on our team,” said United Helpers CEO Todd R. Amo. “I know I’m not going to still be working when I’m 90.”

Following a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday from the Canton Goldenaires Barber Shop Choir, Gail Butler offered a wave of thanks to the lobby full of people who came to celebrate her 90^th birthday. Mrs. Butler still works at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care three days a week.

 

Martinchek Honored with Fannie Frank Distinguished Employee Award

CANTON – When the newly appointed United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Activities Director was promoted to her new position, she knew exactly who she wanted to step into her old role as Activities Leader – this year’s Fannie Frank Distinguished Employee Award winner Lauren Martinchek. 

Ms. Martinchek, of Canton, began her career with United Helpers in 2017 as a task aide before becoming a CNA and then transitioning into a role with the Activities Department in 2018, a department in which she thrived in for five years before the promotion.

“Lauren is very organized and willing to help whenever or wherever. She also has the ability to learn almost anything related to her position,” said Activities Director Patience Boswell. “But what really separated Lauren from others is her compassion for her residents.”

Talking about the relationship Ms. Martincheck has with her residents, Ms. Boswell said, “It is clear from her interactions with residents that she truly cares for them. When she talks about residents, you can tell she knows them intimately like a relative would. When she shares a laugh or even a cry with a resident, you can tell it is a genuine shared emotion.”

Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons has heard many such stories from employees, as well as family members of residents and in some instances, residents themselves.

“Lauren has a huge heart and appears to love what she does,” he said. “She is the type of employee you wish you could replicate over and over again.”

While United Helpers has many different employee honors, most of those awards are for people working in direct care. The Fannie Frank Distinguished Employee Award gives Mr. Parsons an opportunity to recognize an outstanding employee even if they do not work in direct care.

“She was an easy choice for this honor,” he said. “We are proud she is a part of the United Helpers team.”

The Fannie Frank Award was established in 2019 by Dr. Gordon and his wife, Barbara, who are both former United Helpers volunteers and board members. Dr. Gordon grew up in New York City in close proximity to his grandmother and credits her with instilling in him a love of animals that would eventually lead to his career as a veterinarian.

The award was created as a way to pay tribute to his grandmother, a Polish immigrant who moved to the U.S. prior to World War I with her parents and six of her nine siblings.

The award includes a cash bonus and is awarded based on the following criteria:

• A remarkably caring demeanor
• Currently employed at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care
• Continuous employment with United Helpers for two or more years

Holding a picture of his beloved grandmother, Dr. Edward Gordon calls the Fannie Frank Distinguished Employee Award presentation “one of my favorite things each year.” This year, Dr. Gordon presented the award to United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Activities Leader Lauren Martinchek, of Canton. From left, Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons, Dr. Gordon, Ms. Martinchek, Activities Director Patience Boswell and Barbara Gordon.

Home for the Holidays Thanks to United Helpers

CANTON – A stay at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care helped two local women regain the strength they needed to return home for the holidays and the start of the new year.

Elizabeth Ayer, of Massena Center spent 20 days at the facility for her short-term rehabilitation stay which followed surgery on a foot and ankle, which had previously been broken and repaired in 1975.

“It just got worn out,” Mrs. Ayer said, the hardware in foot and ankle was replaced during the procedure. 

Elizabeth Ayer

When Mrs. Ayer arrived at the facility she was in a wheel chair and unable to walk on her own. Now she is using a walker and looking forward to her cast coming off this month.

“My daughter said I’ll be in a walking boot, but it’s another step forward,” she said.

Mrs. Ayer said she’s appreciative of the support and help she received during her stay in Canton.

“If I ever have to go to physical therapy again, this is where I will be coming,” she said. “The staff were all so very positive and here to help, right from the cleaning ladies all the way to the top.”

Patricia Goolden, of Hannawa Falls came to United Helpers following a hospital stay for pneumonia. She also has congestive heart failure.

When it came time for her to be discharged from the hospital, Mrs. Goolden said her children were not comfortable with her going home alone.

“I couldn’t walk and my kids wouldn’t let me go home alone,” she said, noting when she arrived she could only ride the exercise bike for 5 minutes before becoming exhausted and having to stop.

Patricia Goolden with Physical Therapist Trent Worden

“I’m up to 15 minutes now.” “I’ve toned up my body quite a bit. I’ve even gotten to the point where I can walk without my walker. I’m supposed to use it, but sometimes I try to sneak around without it.” she said.

Mrs. Goolden said she owes United Helpers Director of Therapy Trent Worden a big thank you.

“Therapy was hard at first. He would come in and ask if I was ready, and I would say, ‘no,’ but by the end I was looking forward to it.  My stamina is better than it has been in years.”

If you feel like you could benefit from a short-term rehabilitation stay at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton, please reach out to Admissions Coordinator Tanya Trotter at (315) 590-2040 or via email at tltrotter@unitedhelpers.org.

You may also visit www.unitedhelpers.org to learn more about this and the other services we offer.