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Christian Village celebrates Grand Opening of Woods Foundation Garden Villa

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[April 11, 2016]  LINCOLN - On Friday, April 8th, the Christian Village in Lincoln celebrated the Grand Opening of the Woods Foundation Garden Villa, a facility that will offer residential care for the aging. The facility is open only 11 months after the groundbreaking ceremony held on May 12th, 2015.

Christian Village is in the midst of a multi-million dollar expansion project that includes not only this facility, but also an expansion of its nursing care building.

On Friday a large group of guests gathered outside the new facility to join in the celebration. Opening remarks were offered by Christian Village Administrator Jo Hilliard. Hilliard acknowledged the many people who had worked hard to bring the new building to fruition, including the overseers of the projects and the construction firm that completed the building.

Senior Vice President of Christian Homes, Inc., Gordon Venturella, spoke next acknowledging the many donors who had made completion of the project possible and noted specific areas of the building including the spa, one of the private rooms, the laundry room and the hair salon. He finished saying they were most grateful to the building sponsor, the Woods Foundation.

Venturella introduced David Goldwitzer and Blinn Bates of the Woods Foundation. Robert J. Woods and Joan Jarrett Woods, now both deceased, created the Woods Foundation to support the needs of the community through their philanthropy. Bates said that when considering the Christian Village project, the Foundation’s Board of Directors felt the project would be of such great importance to the local community.

Goldwitzer and Bates pulled the cover from the sign which read, The Woods Foundation Garden Villa.

Christian Village Chaplain Ryan Edgecombe then addressed the group with a word of scripture. He also explained that a Cloud Nine Dogwood tree was being planted as a dedication of the new facility. He read a Prayer of Dedication, which would then be buried with the tree. In addition, three other written prayers are to be placed in the ground; one from a resident of the Village, one from an employee, and one from a volunteer at the Village.

“We plant this tree as a symbol of your provision and as a symbol of the life that will take place at the Woods Foundation Garden Villa. As this tree grows, may the neighbors who move into this home grow in spirit, grow in grace, and grow in wellness.

“As this tree blooms in the spring, may those you have entrusted into our care continue to bear fruit and beauty as they positively impact other lives created in your image.

“As this tree provides shade in the summer, we ask that you provide relief and rest and reprieve in times of change or challenge or fear.

“As this tree loses its leaves in the autumn and is preserved in the winter, may this tree be a living testimony to those living in the Garden Villa, even as our bodies fail us, you are doing good work through us that sometimes only you can see until the spring comes.” Edgecombe finished his prayer with thanksgiving for all the work that has gone into the creation of the new facility.

After the planting ceremony, the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Lincoln Mayor Marty Neitzel, Aldermen Jeff Hoinacki and Todd Mourning joined members of the Christian Village in cutting the ribbon on the new building.

Hilliard then invited everyone to come inside the building. Inside, there were refreshments, special music, a few words spoken by Mayor Neitzel, a speech from Dr. Keith Ray of Christian Homes, Inc. and tours of the building.

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After a few minutes, Hilliard asked for attention and addressed the group gathered inside the communal area of the building. She began saying that Illinois Representative Tim Butler had planned to attend but was at the last minute unable, so he had asked a member of his staff to come in his stead. She also noted that Tim Searby, a former Director of Christian Village was present, as well as one of the Villages original board members Gerald Carter, along with his wife, Nancy.

Hilliard said that the Village Board had greatly appreciated the support it received from the city of Lincoln, first with Mayor Keith Snyder, and now with Mayor Marty Neitzel. She then asked Neitzel to come up and say a few words on behalf of the city.

Neitzel began by welcoming all visitors to Lincoln to town and expressed appreciation for all that were in attendance. She congratulated the Christian Village on their accomplishment in opening the Garden Villa and noted that there were still projects ongoing at the campus and many more great things to come, all of which would offer great benefits to the senior population of the Logan County community.

Dr. Keith Ray was next to speak for Christian Village’s parent company Christian Homes. Dr. Ray has been present through the several stages of construction on this project.

He included in his opening remarks expressions of appreciation to all the CV staff who have supported this project with special thanks to Administrator Jo Hilliard.

After a word of prayer, the Christian Village Ensemble sang “A Christian Home.” Hors D’oeurves were then served to guests, while others took advantage of the opportunity to walk through the facility and view the rooms that will be private living quarters, as well as the many amenity rooms that will offer supportive services.
 


The Woods Foundation Garden Villa is already open, and residents have moved in. The Villa houses 12 assisted living private apartments.  The new facility is under the direction of Cindy White, who has been with Christian Village since 2009.

Anyone interested is securing an apartment at the Garden Villa may call 217-732-2189 to schedule a personal tour.

[Karen Hargis/Nila Smith]

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