4 • The Beacon July 14 , 2022
Couple working on bird feeder project at care center
By Marianne Austin
Rick and Jenny Chambers found some ways to cheer her mother Mary Mossman up when she had a stroke two months ago and needed to go into Altercare .
Mossman enjoyed the many birds that visited their bird feeder at home , so Rick Chambers decided to put up a shepherds hook outside her window and added a feeder and a hanging basket .
“ When I was walking around , I noticed that most of the other bird feeders were either broken down or empty ,” Chambers said . “ I started filling them and adding bird feeders , and donations of bird seed and suet started rolling in . I put up 12 shepherds hooks , over a dozen bird feeders , and people donated bags of bird seed and suet cakes for the woodpeckers .
“ Now we have over a dozen feeders up , and I go every other day and fill the feeders and put in suet cakes . I talked to Dave , the maintenance man , first because they have nice landscaping and I didn ’ t want to mess anything up . He found a couple shepherds hooks in the maintenance area .”
One day Chambers was filling the feeders , and a man pulled up and asked if he was the maintenance person .
“ I said , ‘ No , I ’ m just filling the bird feeders .’ He said , ‘ That ’ s my parents ’ room .’ He left and came back with 30 packs of suet and said , ‘ Here is something to help you out ,’ and that helped a lot ,” Chambers said . “ The birds go through 10-15 pounds of birdseed a day and four to seven suet cakes per day . I can ’ t keep up with it financially . I asked for donations on Facebook , and they started coming in , but I could use more shepherds hooks and always bird seed because they go through it so fast .”
Jenny Chambers does home baking under the name of Jenny ’ s Sweet Treats and brings cookies and brownies to the facility and to give to aides and nurses .
Rick and Jenny Chambers could still use some hanging baskets , more tall shepherds hooks , bird feeders and suet to put in front of all the residents ’ windows . There are probably about 20 rooms that don ’ t have a feeder in front of them .
“ Since I mentioned it on Facebook , donations of shepherds hooks , bird seed , suet cakes , gift cards and bird feeders have come
Submitted
Bird feeders and flowers spread cheer through this nursing home resident ’ s window . Rick and Jenny Chambers are putting up bird feeders outside windows at Altercare .
in from generous donors ,” Rick Chambers said . “ We have put out nearly 400 pounds of bird seed and over 100 suet cakes in the last two months . We are currently looking after 51 bird feeders and suet cake holders , so any donations are appreciated . The smiles on the residents ’ faces are our reward . We would also encourage friends and relatives of any care facility residents to visit them . It really brightens their day and breaks up the monotony .”
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When I was walking around , I noticed that most of the other bird feeders were either broken down or empty . I started filling them and adding bird feeders , and donations of bird seed and suet started rolling in .
Rick
” Chambers
Submitted
This is the bird seed and feeders Rick Chambers buys to put outside the windows of nursing home residents .
Submitted The Chambers are cheering up nursing home residents with bird feeders .