Assisted Living Home Rewards Employees Going The Extra Mile

It's Meals on Wheels and Door Dash all rolled into one.

As thousands of employees at assisted living and nursing homes know, 2020 hasn't been a walk in the park.

When dining centers closed during the pandemic, delivery became a necessity. That was the case at Village on the Park in south Oklahoma City.

"We have a very large property, the miles and miles they've walked getting there, and I thought no one thinks about the dining staff that is delivering 150 meals three times a day," said Karen Proctor, Village on the Park Executive Director.

So, Karen thought a step in the right direction, would be new shoes.

"If your feet don't feel good, you don't feel good. So, I just thought that would be a nice treat for them, and to show them really how much we do appreciate them," she said.

Karen got in touch with Tim Thompson of OK Runner.

Tim was able to secure nine free pairs of shoes, courtesy of Hoka.

"Giving them back some footwear and some nice shoes was kind of our ultimate goal," said Thompson.

For Thompson, the issue is personal.

His aunt passed away from COVID-19 in May while living in an assisted living home.

He knows firsthand how hard the staffs at these homes work.

"It's very rewarding to see them put on new shoes that they've never heard or tried on and see their smiles on their faces," Thompson said.

"It's nice to be appreciated of course anytime but walking as much as we did, it's very nice to have some high-quality shoes," said Village on the Park employee Anthony Beets.

A gift that supports both the body, and the soul.

"I hope that this shows them, how much not just I, but everyone, as a community, really appreciates what they're doing and what they've gone through for us," Proctor said.