Twin Rivers Baptist Church, Whipple, the recipient of the 2018 Diakonie Award for Glenwood Community, is a traditional independent Baptist church that has provided residents of Glenwood Community with a weekly service for more than 10 years. The church routinely brings its youth choir to perform for Glenwood residents on days it does not provide regular worship services.

First Congregational UCC of Marietta was the recipient of the 2018 Diakonie Award for Harmar Place. The oldest continuously worshipping congregation west of the Alleghenies, First Congregational Church has dedicated many hours to serving Harmar Place. Its board of deacons and outreach board organize visits to individuals and special fundraisers for residents’ personal needs. Parishioners also fulfill wish lists during the holidays.

The Diakonie Award is presented to congregations to honor those who have demonstrated faithfulness in their support of the mission of United Church Homes and its communities.

United Church Homes honored Allan Norris with the 2018 Spirit Award from Glenwood Community, where Allan and his wife, Carol, are residents. The couple’s history with Glenwood is decades long and continues to flourish as Allan uses his skills to fix furniture, create floor plans of apartments and village homes, teach watercolor courses, help with commercial marketing and print the schedule on the daily activities board six nights per week. Allen also recently played the part of Scrooge in Glenwood’s first Reader’s Theater production.

Konna D. Huck was the winner of this year’s Harmar Place Spirit Award. Konna is a regular visitor to residents at Harmar Place, where friends have stayed for short-term rehabilitation and longer stays.

The Spirit Award is presented to individuals who best exemplify the volunteerism, advocacy, inspiration and spirit for United Church Homes residents and their families.

Arthur and Betty Buell were the recipients of Glenwood Community’s prestigious Ben M. Herbster Award. They moved to Glenwood in June 2014. The Buells trace their basic philosophy of giving back to their younger years, where each was raised in a caring and supportive family who taught them to be contributing members of any community.

When asked about their unusual amount of charitable giving, they responded, “Shouldn’t everybody do this? Isn’t that what caring people should do when they believe wholeheartedly in something and have even the smallest means to help?”

At Glenwood, the Buells do little things around the community, such as filling a dish with over 1,000 Tootsie Rolls each week, anonymously gifting items to residents who need extra love or eating a meal with a resident who needs companionship. Their bigger acts of kindness include calling and visiting hospitalized residents and donating to the Resident Association Fund when a community member passes.

Susan H. Smith was the recipient of the Ben M. Herbster Award for Harmar Place. Susan and her husband, David, perform together with their guitars, entertaining area senior centers and healthcare residences. Smith’s sister developed Alzheimer’s disease and became a resident of Harmar Place. Soon thereafter, her parents moved to The Pines Assisted Living at Glenwood Community, and Susan’s service to these communities became even more engaging for her.

The award, named after the first president of the United Church of Christ, is presented to individuals who best exemplify the philosophy, leadership, philanthropic spirit and achievements of the late Rev. Dr. Ben M. Herbster.

For more information about United Church Homes, visit unitedchurchhomes.org.

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About United Church Homes: United Church Homes, headquartered in Marion, Ohio, has been “Celebrating the Spirit” of seniors for more than a century. The faith-based nonprofit organization is one of the nation’s largest providers of senior living services, with more than 1,800 dedicated staff serving nearly 5,000 residents of all faiths in 74 senior living communities throughout 14 states and two Native American nations. UCH is in covenant with the United Church of Christ and welcomes residents of all faiths.

Media Contact: Alissa Paolella, Communications Coordinator, 740.382.4885 or apaolella@uchinc.org