Unveiling the Legacy of the Rosetta stone A Key to Ancient Knowledge.pptx
Touchmark at Coffee Creek - May 2014 Newsletter
1. TOUCHMARK AT COFFEE CREEK
THE{FULL}LIFE
May 2014
“Knotty Ladies” at Touchmark help others
The “Knotty Ladies” at Touchmark have been
cutting up—all to benefit children at Positive
Tomorrows. The nonprofit agency is the only
elementary school in Oklahoma specifically
serving homeless children and their families.
The Knotty Ladies Cutting Up—yes, that’s
the name of an informal group of Touchmark
residents—so far has delivered 24 handmade
fleece blankets to Positive Tomorrows.
Organized by resident Louise Haaland, the Knotty
Ladies make the 36- by 54-inch “Comfy Blankets”
by knotting two pieces of fleece material together.
Up to 17 women
participate in this
ongoing volunteer
mission. Louise says
they learned about
Positive Tomorrows
from an Oklahoma
City businessman.
According to Louise,
the group could also
make the lap blankets
for elderly people.
“We understand
there is a huge
need,” she says. “The
blankets are big
enough that children
can wrap their arms
around and take
comfort in the soft
warmth, and that’s
why we call them Comfy Blankets.”
The group has generated funds for supplies
through various activities and has received some
donations, as well.
Rewards of volunteerism have effects for
volunteers, too
Just last month, people across the country
recognized National Volunteer Week. It turns out,
the Knotty Ladies and other volunteers receive
benefits, too.
The psychosocial and mental health (cont.)
2. benefits of volunteering have been studied
for several years in regard to reducing risk factors for
depression, loneliness, and isolation. Now, though,
there are known physical health benefits.
In 2013, Carnegie Mellon University researchers
looked at the relationship between volunteerism and
lower blood pressure. They discovered that as little
as 200 hours of volunteering annually provided a
dramatic lowering of blood pressure.
A study at Harvard University showed that
individuals who identified themselves as giving and
sharing from the heart—and not for any perceived
health benefit—had the greatest physical and mental
benefits.
“One point that all studies share,” says Carla Scull,
Touchmark Life Enrichment/Wellness director, “is
that volunteers report finding—or renewing—a sense
of purpose in their lives. And we know this plays a
key role in living a happier, longer life.”
The Knotty Ladies Cutting Up group knows firsthand
that happy feeling that comes from giving to others,
and they will continue to piece together blankets and
donate them to children in need.
“As long as they need blankets, we plan to make
them,” says Louise.
(cont.)
Members of Touchmark’s Knotty Ladies deliver
blankets to Positive Tomorrows, a nonprofit agency
that is the only elementary school in Oklahoma
specifically serving homeless children and their
families.
Community welcomes new Dining Services director and chef
Jeff Waddle has joined the
Touchmark team and brings with
him years of culinary experience.
He previously served as the Dining
Service director at a local retirement
community, worked as the executive
chef at Oklahoma University Medical
Center Children’s Hospital, and
served as the PM coordinator of the
Culinary Institute of Platt College.
Jeff has also worked as the executive
sous chef position at the Westin Hotel
and served as the supervisor at the
Oklahoma City Marriot. Trained at the
American Culinary Federation, Jeff’s
experience extends to catering events
as well as serving as a personal chef.
“I continue to educate myself and
enjoy seeing others succeed, as
well,” he says. Jeff is married with
two daughters, 13 and 3. Away from
work, he enjoys spending time with
his family and working on home-
improvement projects.
3. CAPTURING DELIGHT{FULL} MOMENTS
It’s spring! Visit Touchmark.
The change in
season is a perfect
time to tour the
Eisenhower, which
is located at 2941
Touchmark Drive.
This cottage
includes 2,047
square feet, a
428-square-
foot garage, two
bedrooms, two
bathrooms, and a
study.
Also, featured this
month: apartment
342, with 1,015
square feet, two
bedrooms, and two
bathrooms.
Spring has arrived! We planted the first flowers of the season,
jumped into games of table tennis, and learned from Chef Jeff
Waddle the secret to making different types of iced coffee.
Look for more photos on Facebook.
