Have a Little Faith

A Sugar Creek Rest resident attended a Pittsburgh Penguins game with her family. Tickets were generously donated by First Niagara. 

Featuring Carrie Connelly, Activity Director, CTRS at Sugar Creak Rest in Worthington, PA. Carrie is newer to the Quality Life Services family of companies, but has already seen the good Don’t Stop Dreamin’ does. Here is what she has to say.

One of the Quality Life Services nursing home residents recently attended a Pittsburgh Penguins game with her family. Carrie Connelly, Activity Director, CTRS at Sugar Creek Rest in Worthington, PA has been employed since January 13, 2015 and just recently participated in her first dream. “[My favorite part of the dream granting process is] seeing a resident smile because they get to spend their dream with their family!” Connelly said. “It is intrinsically rewarding; knowing you have increased their quality of life and they have something very special to look forward to.”

Connelly said dreams make residents feel pleasantly surprised and very excited! “It makes their day,” Connelly adds.

Don’t Stop Dreamin’ is a way for residents to feel special. An organization unique to the QLS family of homes, and activity directors alike enjoy giving their residents a chance at making their dreams come true. “It means so much to Sugar Creek Rest because we are helping residents have the opportunity to make their wish come true,” Connelly explains. “If I could use one word to explain my perspective on dreams, it would be faith."

In addition to tending to residents, Connelly offers her insight about the importance of Don’t Stop Dreamin’ on a more personal level. “I’m a very compassionate person and I love to help others in need,” Connelly said. “It is so important to me to give opportunities for the residents to do things they enjoy.”

Happiness At Any Age

Holly Reedy (left), gifting a Lionel Train set on behalf of Don't Stop Dreamin' to resident (right) at the Chicora Medical Center in Chicora, PA. 

Featuring Holly Reedy, RN, NHA Administrator at Chicora Medical Center. Holly is also the Treasurer for Don't Stop Dreamin'. She recently facilitated a dream, and here is what she has to say. 

Don’t Stop Dreamin’ is a forever evolving organization. Recently Don’t Stop Dreamin’ completed four dreams in March, and one of them was gifting a Lionel Train set to a resident. Holly Reedy, RN, NHA Administrator at Chicora Medical Center had the pleasure of being a part of this dream. Reedy is also the treasurer on the Don’t Stop Dreamin’ Board of Directors and has been a part of the organization since its inception. 

He couldn't believe it...

Reedy has been with the Chicora Medical Center for 19 years (16 years as a part of the Quality Life Services Family of Companies), and has witnessed around 80 dreams take place. “[My favorite part of the dream process is] the fulfillment for the resident, family, and staff at times too,” Reedy explained. “[Seeing] the joy that it brings.”

Being a part of the dream process for so long Reedy knows how it makes residents feel. “Dream fulfillment makes them feel special; the star for the day, and sometimes like a child on Christmas morning,” said Reedy. “If I could use only one word to explain my perspective on dreams, it would be limitless."

The Chicora Medical Center located in Chicora wouldn't be the same without dream requests and their fulfillment. “This brings additional joy to the residents that we serve,” Reedy said. “It also empowers staff to make the application/assist in facilitating a dream, and it pleases families.”

Reedy shares her viewpoint on what Don’t Stop Dreamin’ means to her. “As I have an integral part of everyday life and operations in my home with my position, I have the pleasure of spending time with residents, their families, and staff more so than others. However, Don’t Stop Dreamin’ gives me the opportunity to HAVE FUN all of the time and make dreams come true!” exclaimed Reedy. “I get to assist in making dreams and wishes come true. From the smallest to the largest of dreams, I get to be a part of making this happen. How many people get to say they can do this? How many people get to say that they help dreams come true? I can!”  

Chicora Medical Center resident proudly showing off his Lionel Train set.

A Little Dream of Reality

Featuring Robin Pritts who is currently the Activity Director at South Fayette Nursing Center is Markleysburg, PA. Here is what she has to say about Don't Stop Dreamin'. 

Don’t Stop Dreamin’ continues to grant dreams for residents; a task that may go unnoticed by those who aren't a part of it. However, for Robin Pritts, Activity Director at South Fayette Nursing Center that isn't the case. “I have seen 22 dreams achieved,” Pritts explained. “These dreams make a resident feel special, loved, and blessed.”

Don’t Stop Dreamin’ has granted over 50 dreams in their three years as an organized 501c3 non-profit. The dream granting process continues to evolve parallel to resident need, but the effect of a dream granted remains the same. “My favorite part of the dream granting process is informing each recipient that DSD has granted their dream,” said Pritts. “Seeing and knowing how much these dreams mean and have meant to each and every resident.”

Currently, DSD caters to the nine Quality Life Services homes throughout Western Pennsylvania. A non-profit founded on the need to eliminate boredom and loneliness merely mimics the camaraderie and family at the QLS company. The morale that DSD strives to follow can effectively make each home feel like family. Pritts offers what DSD means to her home specifically. “It sets our home above and beyond from any other nursing homes out there,” she said. “By offering and providing these dreams, our residents have opportunities to fulfill the ultimate dream of their lives.”

Behind the scenes, DSD volunteers and members work tirelessly to make sure each resident is made to feel as a priority and how much their dream matters. Pritts shares her viewpoint on how Don't Stop Dreamin' changes lives. “[If I could use one word to explain my perspective on dreams it would be] Godsend,” she highlights. “I would like to share how blessed I feel to be a part of this home and in particular DSD; their continuing efforts in making our residents and their happiness a No. 1 priority truly touches my heart. [It amazes me] to see the impact these dreams have made in the lives of our residents that the QLS Company, DSD Board of Directors, and team members have made possible. I thank God for all of you. Keep up this great work. For as you bless others you in turn reap the greater blessing.”

Dreaming of a Little Gratitude

What does gratitude mean to Don't Stop Dreamin'? 

As the world has evolved, most have lost the true sincerity of gratitude; a word preached by many. This ideal has become embedded in a person's brain, but may not actually mean anything.
As defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary, "gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Synonyms: gratefulness, thankfulness, thanks, appreciation, indebtedness."

Many might say they show gratitude when someone does a good deed. Consider a time when someone held the door open. Did you say thank you? I sure hope so. Did you mean it? Probably. The real question arises and most may not know how to answer. Did you feel it?
Feeling thanks is a task far too mysterious as age takes hold. Consider how children show gratitude for simple tasks like a hug, a drink, or their new toy. How do we evolve into creatures of entitlement or monotony?

Saying thank you has been established as a requirement of society. If you forget to say thank you, you may be deemed as though you were raised by baboons. On the contrary, if you remember to say it you are noted as a proper gentleman/lady. Perhaps we should start judging on the level of feeling.
Imagine if the things we say are actually what we mean. It would most certainly hold us accountable in more situations than not. There would be no "take-backs" or "I didn't mean to say it".

I recollect the idea of my four-year-old son. He has manners and is quick to say thank you, sorry, or please. We have trained him well. Examining gratitude reminds me of the (many) times he says sorry. Often, I remind him he is not sorry because most of the time he is just apologizing for things he really did on purpose, but feels bad for being so troublesome. There is a difference in his persona when he says sorry for something he really didn't mean to do. Those apologies are the ones that actually mean something. It is so surreal to think about how early on someone might lose the sincerity naturally given to us.

Our mission here at Don't Stop Dreamin' is to show our residents gratitude; the feeling of gratitude. Because at Don't Stop Dreamin', what we do is for them.

What's your dream?