Cindy Ritter, Administrator of the Health Care Community at Brandermill Woods, wrote this article during last week's winter storm.
As I am writing this article we are still in the process of digging out from the big winter storm. Some have said it was a snowfall of historic measurement and it closed schools and businesses across Chesterfield County and Virginia. I have to say that I have never been more proud to be part of the Brandermill Woods family. Knowing that the snow was coming and that the Chesterfield, Holly Inn and The Haven Health Care Center can never really close, we had dozens of staff members pack a bag and just live here until the snow was cleared. They were committed to making sure our residents were safe and secure. It was a tremendous operation. Nurses pulled double shifts, housekeeping covered for each other and the maintenance department removed snow in the bitter cold. Concierges’ were fielding phone calls, Security was all over the place helping out and Dining made sure everyone was fed. At the height of the storm, our dining staff served over 500 meals a day. Nobody went without a hot meal and a place to sleep.
The spirit of camaraderie was everywhere and morale remained high all weekend. Our Manger on Duty pitched in and helped residents and staff alike. We had supervisors cleaning floors and everyone recognized when someone started to tire and offered them a helping hand. Our community is such a wonderful combination of kind, caring and optimistic people. Sometimes adversity can bring out the very best in people and this event gave our staff the opportunity to rise to the occasion in a crisis. And they passed with flying colors!!!! Thanks to everyone who pitched in, everyone who was patient if things took a little longer than normal and to everyone that smiled even though they might not have felt like it. So BRAVO Brandermill Woods staff. You make us all proud to be on your team.
Most Sincerely,
Cindy
