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Hillcrest receives $30,000 bequest
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A life-long McCook citizen who played the piano at Hillcrest Nursing Home for more than 20 years has bequeathed $30,000 to the facility.
Veldron Hall, who passed away in 2010, played "Happy Birthday" and other traditional songs at the monthly birthday parties, said Peggy Rogers, Hillcrest Nursing Home Administrator.
She told board members at the regular meeting Tuesday that Hall designated the money to be dispersed in three payments to the Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation.
The Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation is a charitable organization affiliated with the nursing home, with volunteer board members and a paid director. The Foundation sponsors several fundraising events through the year that support educational scholarships for employees and for projects at the facility.
Hillcrest also has received another donation of $1,000 from employee Betty Wurm, Rogers said. Wurm works in the Activities department and made the contribution in honor of her husband, Gene, to be used for the construction of a chapel, Rogers said.
In other business, the board declined to take action requested by Rogers to change Hillcrest's current agent for supplemental insurance, to an affiliate in Omaha. Rogers said there has been problems with the current agent.
Board member Randy Dean said he would rather see local options pursued before a company outside McCook is used.
"As an insurance agent, I don't like the idea of giving it to someone else without due process," Dean said.
In other business, the board:
* approved bills for the current construction project, that is estimated to be done by June. The board approved non-mechanical bills at $179, 598 and mechanical, or grant-funded, bills at $59,307. The grant-funded portion of the construction will be completed by April 23 and includes energy management improvements, such as heating and cooling.
The total cost of the project, including engineering and architectural services, is $3.4 million. Construction costs come to $2.7 million. The project, which will be completed by June, includes new heating and air conditioning and interior and exterior remodeling.
The project is on schedule and currently wiring for the Internet is being upgraded, Rogers said.
* approved Hillcrest Foundation bylaws. No changes were made.
* According to Rogers' Administrators Report, Hillcrest was 96 percent full for the month of February, with 83 patients as of Tuesday. Payment for February included 7 percent as Medicare, 49 percent as Medicaid and 44 percent, private pay. The facility has hired a new registered nurse as day supervisor and is looking for 10 1/2 full time equivalency nursing assistants.
Rogers also told the board that five candidates were interviewed for the paid director position at Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation.
* Janet Bamesburger, board treasurer, said the safety deposit box is now closed.
The board decided to store the certificates of deposit in another location and to shred old documents found in the safety deposit box.