Volunteers help build pavilion

Raintree Manor recently held a dedication for its new outdoor pavilion which was built with the help and financing of volunteers, churches and local businesses. The pavilion was the brainchild of activities director Carson Rust, who says the idea literally came to him in a dream where he saw residents underneath an outdoor pavilion on the facility grounds.

Rust said the dream was so compelling he decided to try and make it a reality.

?The next day I went to my administrator, Gay Lane, and asked her if we could build a pavilion,? Rust said, and fundraising plans began. ?We just started contacting people in the community. People began volunteering and donating materials and it all came together and Easter Sunday my dream came true.?

The pavilion is open air, much like the one at Riverfront Park, and contains picnic tables for residents to sit and dine and has been equipped with a modern grill for cookouts. It is located at the east end of the building and is enclosed by fencing, so it is secure and yet accessible to everyone at the facility.

Community services director Devonya King says the facility has always sponsored trips for residents to area parks like Fall Creek Falls and Rock Island that included cookouts, but the number of residents who could attend was limited by the size of the transport vans and also by their medications and limited mobility.

?That?s another reason for the pavilion,? King said. ?It?s right outside and we?re right here with everybody and everything we need, so all the residents, who are able to do so, can enjoy these activities. Even if they are in a wheelchair they can be rolled right out the door and be there.

For the dedication residents and volunteers were treated to a dinner of grilled steaks and baked potatoes.

Rust said the area is also great for visitors, since the pavilion has sidewalk access and residents can be rolled out to visit with family members in an outdoor environment.

?They can visit out there in the pavilion with them in the shade,? Rust said.

Rust said that volunteers have always played a big part at Raintree Manor, providing music and entertainment or just visiting with residents, and it was no different with the construction of the pavilion. Volunteers donated their time to raise money and others either worked free or at greatly reduced fees to help construct the pavilion.