Testimonials
Has Twin Oaks/Birches, the foundation or the foundation funding programs affected you? We'd love to hear your story. Email us!
The Birches Palliative Care Room Experience
"Words cannot express how thankful I am to the Foundation for raising funds for the Palliative Care Room at The Birches. I was overwhelmed by the pledges and so very appreciative that soon the residents will have a place where they can spend their last hours/days with their family.
The work that the Foundation put into this Gala, and in particular the Fund-A-Need, was amazing. The entire evening was absolutely wonderful, from the beautiful room, the delicious meal, the wonderful auctioneer, the live & silent auctions and having the cadets there to help things run smoothly was a great idea. I believe everyone in attendance had a wonderful and it's a night I will remember always.Thank you so much for allowing my husband and I to be part of it.
Everything the Foundation is doing is truly touching the lives of so many people and I hope everyone realizes that this world, and in particular the world at the Twin Oaks and Birches, is a much better place because of the foundation. I will do everything I can to spread the word about your wonderful foundation and its amazing members."
- Debbie George, Conrod Settlement
Jackie's Story
Jackie Laybolt: A Former Board Member with a Heartfelt Connection to the Birches
Jackie Laybolt always knew she had a strong connection with the staff at The Birches Home for Special Care from the moment her father, Jack Golding, was relocated there. “The Birches was like a home to dad, not a facility, but a home,” says Jackie. That was a comforting feeling to both Jackie and Jack.
The Birches quickly became a home away from home for Jack. The nurses and staff would tease him and he loved the attention. “They were wonderful with him,” says Jackie. “They knew how to get to his sense of humor.” Some people may think of the 42-bed nursing home as a facility or ‘old age home,’ but not Jack. Being in the navy most of his life as a petty officer and gunnery, Jack was a dynamic individual and enjoyed the social aspect of his new home. In fact, until he passed away Oct. 26 of 2011 he was an active and smiling member of the Birches community. Jackie described her dad’s smile as the thing people remember him for the most.
Photo: Jack Golding with his daughter Jackie Laybolt
During Jack’s five-year stay at The Birches, Jackie became very familiar with The Birches and the staff. She soon realized that it was through the efforts of volunteers that the creation of a palliative care room, bus outings and a mural in the Alzheimer’s wing of The Birches were able to be funded. It was from such examples of fundraising efforts that Jackie decided to start giving back and volunteering for The John Fraser Fall Classic Golf Tournament. “I don’t think people realize that many of these positive features of Twin Oaks and The Birches are not funded through the government. I saw there was a need for help in the Foundation so I signed up,” explains Jackie. She decided to step into a board position at the Foundation, and as she described it, “honour her father’s memory.” Jackie describes the Twin Oaks/Birches Health Care Charitable Foundation as a very dedicated group of individuals, who are easy to get along with. She says, “It’s a community of people I wanted to continue to support.” Jackie encourages other people of the Eastern Shore community to also give back and reach out to become a board or event volunteer.