Renovating St. Anne: A Call to Care

Submitted by MARK METZLER

Rising at the west end of Broadway, Benedictine Saint Anne has been part of the Winona skyline since 1962. In that time, thousands of our area’s older adults have been served by a staff dedicated to help them make the best of each day.

“Almost everyone in our community has had someone they know stay with us or work with us - parents, grandparents, family members or friends. Saint Anne is part of so many peoples’ stories and lives,” said Cheryl Nash, Director of Nursing at Saint Anne.

Now, the story needs revision. Despite dedicated stewardship over the years, Saint Anne is starting to show its age. Plus, the way services are delivered to residents and therapy clients has changed dramatically since Saint Anne was first opened in 1962.

“There is a pressing need to transform Benedictine Saint Anne for present and future residents,” said Tim Dalton, Benedictine Winona Foundation Board Chair. The Foundation has been charged with raising funds.

The renovation of Saint Anne – A Call to Care: A Better Home, A Better Life – is projected to cost $10 million. The Foundation Board is looking to raise $2 million to make the renovation a reality.

The goal is to provide a more familial atmosphere. Renovated spaces will be meticulously designed to provide a sense of safety, security, and belonging to our cherished residents and their families.

"From the day my parents moved into a lovely apartment in Callista Court to the day when beloved chaplain Dennis Kunkel (pictured below with Fr. Don Lovas) held a final memorial service for Mom on the fifth floor (Memory Care) of Saint Anne, the staff displayed not just terrific professional care, but also warm and loving personal care to Mom and Dad and our family. We are excited as a family to learn about the proposed renovations at Saint Anne that will

help the physical facility more accurately reflect the excellent care consistently provided by the outstanding staff," said Arlene Compton. Compton’s parents, Harland and Pauline Knight, were residents of both Saint Anne and Callista Court, the assisted living apartments on campus.

The Challenge

Benedictine looked carefully at Saint Anne to determine the best course of action. After careful deliberation and exploring various options, including closely examining new construction, it was determined that renovation made the most sense.

The renovation project will redefine the resident experience at Benedictine Saint Anne.

“The intent is to foster a true sense of community in an environment that our residents can call home,” said Carol Ehlinger, Executive Director at Benedictine Winona.

Residents have rooms on floors 2-5. Each of those floors will provide a homey environment where caregivers will be true partners in the residents’ daily lives. One of the key improvements will be dining areas and serving kitchens on each floor. Space on the floors will be re-configured so that staff can better serve the residents.

Plus, the first floor will be converted to a bistro and common space to make it more appealing to residents and families. The basement area will undergo extensive renovation for the therapy area, making it more appealing and accessible to the general public, as well as residents at Saint Anne and Callista Court.

“The common and most important thread among the improvements is how it will serve those we have privilege and responsibility to care for in the next 60 years,” Nash said.

Join the Journey

Like almost all other not-for-profit organizations, Saint Anne relies on the generosity of the local community, and the help of grateful families and friends of residents to help us meet goals, like this renovation.

Getting to $2 million in donations is a challenge. Fortunately, the project has received $500,000 from generous past donors who have offered their support to the Foundation, leaving a balance $1.5 million from the community. Donations have already started.

“We hope community members will support us,” Dalton said. “Beyond that, because so many know the good work we have done in the community, we hope they share that good word with others when talking about the renovation.”

For those involved in the project, it is important to make Saint Anne a cherished home for our seniors for the next 60 years.

“I can’t think of anything more noble or important as caring wholeheartedly for those who have cared for us,” Ehlinger said.

You are invited to help make Benedictine Saint Anne a cherished home for our seniors for the next 60 years. Your contribution to our renovation project will demonstrate our continued appreciation for our current and future residents.

You can give in a number of ways. You can send a check to “A Call to Care” at 1347 W. Broadway, Winona MN 55987, or you can give online by going to https://www.benedictineliving.org/winona-mn/ foundation/. If you have questions, you can reach Foundation Director Mark Metzler at (507) 2056345 or mark.metzler@benedictineliving.org.

Mark Metzler is the foundation director at Benedictine Winona.