December 1, 2017 – Following Hurricane Matthew in 2016, efforts began to raise funds for purchasing whole house, hardwired generators. “It was determined that we needed generators that automatically turn on when power is lost to support many things essential to comfortable living for the fragile folks in our care,” said Marsha Shankleton, Duvall’s Chief Operating Officer.
“In addition to maintaining power for refrigeration, laundry and lighting, maintaining the group homes at certain temperatures is most important, not just for comfort and sustaining routine, but for avoiding serious problems,” added Shankleton.
An escalation in temperature can sometimes trigger seizures in some of our residents, among other medical complications, and so well before Hurricane Irma arrived, enough funds had been raised to purchase six of 16 generators.
With the challenges that came with Irma, Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs ruled that Nursing Homes and Adult Living Facilities must have generators, and so the goal to secure more than $250K to purchase and install 16 generators intensified.
“It’s been a long process, and thanks to the generosity of parents, guardians, family members and friends in the community, we have reached our goal,” said Duvall’s COO.
Following the necessary research, ordering procedures, securing of proper city and county surveys and permits, underground propane tank installations and quality assurance checks, Duvall is moving forward on the installation of generators in all group homes.
A portion of generator funds were raised at the 2017 Inspiration Gala. Read more in the 2017 Fall Newsletter.