Pictured above: Holding the new Mayflower computer laptops from left are Tracy Woolfork, Activities Supervisor; Allisa Stallman, CNA and full-time pre-med student at the University of Dubuque; Holly Thomas RN, Director of Health Services; and Barb Baker, Director of Advertising and Community Relations at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company.
The Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company (GMRC) has provided technology assistance to The Mayflower Community.
As the result of efforts spearheaded by Barb Baker, GMRC’s Director of Advertising and Community Relations, six tablet computers have been donated to Mayflower through the Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund (NERF).
Mayflower will use one of the tablets in Beebe Assisted Living, four in the Health Center, and one with independent living residents. On the tablets, residents can communicate with loved ones and with medical providers.
Mayflower has available the following commercial video calling communications applications: Apple FaceTime, Google Duo, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and Zoom. Doxy, a telemedicine application, is also available.
Kellie McGriff, Mayflower’s Associate Director/Administrator, expressed her appreciation to NERF and, especially, to Barb Baker, who determined this critical need and directed GMRC’s donation of the six tablets to NERF for gifting to Mayflower. Kellie said, “With the tablets, we can download individual practitioners’ software applications so that our healthcare residents can stay in touch with them while maintaining social distancing. This enhances the quality of life for residents by providing safe care during this difficult time.”
Tracy Woolfork, Mayflower’s Activities Coordinator, observed, “The new computers from Grinnell Mutual will be used to help residents stay connected to their families, to learn, to read, and to play games. At times, our iPads were in use so residents had to ‘get in line’ or borrow a cell phone. In the last few weeks, we’ve assisted residents with video chats, watching a livestream graduation, church services, a funeral, and funny animal videos and reading news stories.
B.J. Heineman, DO, Mayflower’s Medical Director, says, “With the use of telemedicine and patient Skype, which was recently implemented at Mayflower, medical offices can improve safer monitoring of patient care with improved nursing and patient communication during this infectious COVID pandemic. We thank Mayflower for providing this innovation and improving the standard of care.”
103-year old Coleen McGriff of New Sharon was able to FaceTime her grandson Brett McGriff from the Mayflower Health Center courtyard on the day of the tablets gift. She said that she got to see the “blue sky and the sun, while talking to my grandson.”
The NERF initiative is designed to support local nonprofits that may be experiencing limited resources and unexpected demands due to the COVID-19 crisis. The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation (GPCF), Grinnell College, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, and Grinnell United Way have established a fund being administered by GPCR. Their goal is to raise $75,000, and they invite others to join them.
Nicole Brua-Behrens, Executive Director of GPCF, noted, “We asked nonprofits across the county what their current needs are. Most organizations are seeing an increase in the public’s need for the services they offer, while also anticipating a decrease in donations due to income disruption.” This funding can address immediate needs or be held long-term to deal with emerging needs.
“As county partners, we want to be responsive to these nonprofits so they can continue to carry out their important missions in this time of crisis,” Brua-Behrens said.
Barb Baker, representing GMRC, said that the company chose to commit to the NERF fund because, “GMRC leadership recognizes the importance of supporting our local communities, especially during a time of crisis. In keeping with our core values, we want to assist the organizations and individuals most vulnerable in the current pandemic. We believe that by collaborating with other local leaders and funders, our resources can be maximized to assist with the local efforts.”
All nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities such as school districts and cities in Poweshiek County are eligible to apply to the NERF fund. Organization leaders may complete a simple form at www.greaterpcf.org to explain current circumstances affecting their organization and to request funds to continue their operations and meet the needs of their constituents.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of representatives from the NERF partner organizations. Grants will generally range between $500 & $3,000, and will help to cover programmatic and operational costs.
Individuals may also support the NERF fund. “Many people inquire about how to help in this time of self-isolation. Sending a gift to NERF is a way to help without leaving home,” Brua-Behrens said. Tax-deductible gifts may be sent to the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, P.O. 344, 1510 Penrose St., Grinnell IA 50112, 641-236-5518, attn: NERF. Gifts to NERF should be in addition to, not a substitute for, annual gifts made directly to support individual nonprofit organizations in the county.
— Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director
