UTAH LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS RECEIVE LIFE JOURNEYS AWARDS AT ANNUAL EVENT

Avalon Health Care celebrates the lives of 15 extraordinary individuals from around the state

Salt Lake City - September 28, 2012 – As the red carpet rolled out, friends and family united to honor the lives of 15 of Utah’s most inspirational long-term care residents from Avalon Health Care’s Utah care centers. The Avalon Health Care Life Journeys Award Gala, which occurred on Friday, Sept. 21 at The Grand America in Salt Lake City, recognized war veterans, athletes, world travelers, artists and all-around heroes from every walk of life.

Derek Gasser, Utah Regional Vice President of Avalon Health Care, Inc. led the celebration that featured a live orchestra, catered dinner and video tributes to each honoree. Gasser was joined by David E. Dangerfield, CEO of Avalon Health Care, Inc. and Becky Lockhart, Utah State Representative and Speaker of the House, as guest speakers for the gala.

“The second-annual Life Journeys gala was yet another success,” said Gasser, host of the gala. “The purpose of this annual event is to show our admiration of 15 amazing lives – lives that we at Avalon are fortunate enough to connect with every single day. “

2012 Avalon Life Journeys Award Gala Honorees:

Alton Nielson, Heritage Care Center (American Fork), grew up on a chicken farm in Mapleton, Utah.  After the attack on Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Navy where he was injured aboard a neighboring aircraft carrier in the Pacific. He returned to Utah and settled in Payson with his wife Lois.

Annette Graves, Avalon Care Center (Bountiful), lived with her husband and children in New York City, where she was heavily involved with political life and the arts.  Annette served in the US Army and worked for a Colonel with “Top Secret” Defense Programs. She and her husband adopted three children and Annette has successfully played matchmaker to 13 couples.

Arlo Mueller, George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home (Ogden), has enjoyed a life of adventure and service.  He fought in World War II, was an Ogden City fireman and safety inspector for 20 years, and has a great love for the canyons and mountains near his home.

In Memory of Beth Dunn, Canyon Rim Care Center (Salt Lake City), traveled the world as part of the Diplomatic Corps, but always remained true to her Idaho roots.  She met her husband abroad and they spent many happy years traveling the world together.

Gene Johnson, Utah State Veterans Nursing Home (Salt Lake City), bought his first Indian motorcycle as a young boy. He soon became a pioneer of motorcycle short-racing and competed against the best in the world. He was a decorated Army historian during the Korean War.

Hae Chi, North Canyon Care Center (Bountiful), was positioned to be an Olympic athlete for her home country of North Korea. She and her husband later escaped the country to raise their children in the safety of South Korea and eventually immigrated to the US.

Ilse Porter, Richfield Rehabilitation and Care Center (Richfield), was born in Vienna, Austria. She lived through the Nazi regime and eventually immigrated to the US, settling in Utah where she has built a service and family-centered life.

Jerry Dennis, Heritage Hills Rehabilitation and Care Center (Nephi), served his country in the military for 35 years. He and his wife Earma lived all over the world, moving no less than 26 times. Jerry has learned that home is where his sweetheart is.

John Edward Janssen, Woodland Park Care Center (Salt Lake City), lived through the great depression, served 27 years in the Army and enjoyed a 35 year career in Job Services.  His proudest accomplishment is raising his three children with his wife Donna.

Joy Fullmer, Bennion Care Center (Salt Lake City), prizes her pioneer roots, which extend back to English royalty.  Her life is defined by her family relationships and friendships and her deep and abiding faith in God.

Judith Erikson, Avalon Valley Rehabilitation (Salt Lake City), was born into an orphanage in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  There she learned faith, kindness and diligence. She applied these skills as a telemarketing manager at MCI in Tennessee, managing over 300 people.

Maija Edmunds, Willow Wood Care Center (Salt Lake City), was born in Helsinki, Finland. After living in Sweden and London she eventually settled in the US. Working as a bus driver for UTA, she logged over one million miles over 26 years, each one accident-free.

Melvin Larsen, Honorary Veteran Award Honoree, Utah State Veterans Nursing Home (Salt Lake City), spent part of his boyhood in Denmark and crossed the Atlantic once again to serve in World War II where his bravery was honored with the Purple Heart. 

Troy Milton Miller, Pioneer Care Center (Brigham City), is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fly fishing and bow hunting in the mountains of Utah and beyond. His 56 years of excellence as a realtor and insurance salesman saw him serve twice as president of the board of directors.

Willie Natani Begay, Sr., Willow Glen Health and Rehabilitation (Brigham City), was born on a Navajo reservation. His time at boarding school allowed him the
chance to excel in sports, learn English and eventually build bridges between North American culture and his native culture.

 

Help Utah Veterans Home Win $250,000!!!

We appreciate your organization supporting the Utah Veterans Home by encouraging members and patrons to vote for the Utah Veterans Home in the Home Depot Facebook Vote Contest from March 1st through March 31st. We are one of eleven organizations that are competing for the $250,000 grand prize. 2nd place will receive $150,000. Third place will receive $100,000. If we win, the funds will be used to renovate the Veteran resident rooms to improve privacy and make the rooms more home-like.

Please advertise this event on your website.

Here is the suggested verbiage:

Help Utah Veterans Home Win $250,000 in a Home Depot Facebook Vote Contest. Vote every 24 hours from March 1st thru March 31st at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation or www.supportutahveterans.com. Thank You for supporting our Veterans.

We would like to recognize your support by including your logo and a link to your website on the website we have created to promote this event www.supportutahveterans.com . Please email me your website address and your logo.

If you have any questions, please email me jbhanson@utah.gov or call me at 801 584-1914. Thanks for supporting Utah Veterans. Sincerely, Jeff Hanson, State Officer Utah Department of Veterans Affairs

Avalon Care Center Official Opening, courtesy of MyMotherLode.com.

December 06, 2011 03:07 pm
Sabrina Ambler, MML News Reporter

Sonora, CA - Avalon Care Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon today for their new addition to the building on Greenley Road in Sonora. Tuolumne General Hospital has finished transfering 37 residents to the facility as it closes. Avalon has hired 15 of Tuolumne General Hospital staffs' members including six dietary aids, eight nurses and one social worker to provide care at the expanded facility. Avalon CEO Dr. David Dangerfield stated, "We are very pleased with the way in which the facility has developed. Both in terms of its attractiveness, but also just the feel that's here. It's a wonderful working condition for our staff who then can provide that love." Numerous local officials including Mayor Bill Canning, EDA Director Larry Cope, Supervisors John Grey, Dick Pland, Evan Royce and Liz Bass and others were on hand to cut the ribbon. There were aproximately 50 in attendance including representatives from Congressman Jeff Denham and Senator Tom Berryhill. The Care Center has gone from 120 residents to 157. That includes 25 to 30 short-term residents. Avalon is a group of related companies that provide health care in several states including 10 facilities in California.

Avalon Health Care Group celebrates Life Journey's of 14 Utah residents. Video news broadcast courtesy of KSL news.

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