Morningside Ministries staff honored for outstanding service to San Antonio seniors

MM Main logoAt LeadingAge Texas’ 54th Annual Meeting and Trade Show in Austin, locals will be honored for their outstanding contributions to provide quality aging services to San Antonio area seniors.

Patsy Johnson, a resident of Morningside Ministries at The Meadows will receive The Volunteer Achievement Award. When the resident theater group found itself having to purchase plays they deemed less than interesting, the theater director decided to ask her best friend – a fellow resident whose writing ability was remarkable – to write plays for their productions. After much hesitation, Patsy got to work. After Patsy brought down the house with her first production in 2011, she has produced 11 plays that are now awaiting publication.

“At age 78, something in my brain responded. To date I have written 16 plays. As an eighty year old confined to a power chair for mobility because of muscular dystrophy, I feel blessed to have found such challenging creative outlets,” said Patsy.

Anne Shinn, an employee of Morningside Ministries has been referred to as having “a servant’s heart”. Serving as the Dining Services Director for the past 24 years, Anne is honored with the Dietary Services Award. Her accomplishments include three complete dining room renovations. What’s more, Anne invites prospective residents to a “tasting” event to sample delicious bites from Morningside’s five chefs on staff.

Two employees of The Village at Incarnate Word will also be awarded for their outstanding service to their senior living community. Rita Revilla has just celebrated 50 years in the Environmental Services Department with Incarnate Word and will receive the Environmental Service Award for her amazing work. Rita reigns supreme in laundry and has no intention of slowing down. “I feel good keeping busy,” she said. “The more I do, the better I feel. I like everything here and I am very happy.”

Debbie Gonzales, honored with the Community Service Award has been the Connections Coordinator for The Village at Incarnate Word since 2004. Making the community outreach program her passion, Debbie has created a well-balanced program including wellness, recreation, spiritual and healing activities and workshops that really make a difference in the quality of life for the seniors in the community.

Morningside Ministries Senior Living Communities and The Village at Incarnate Word are both mission-driven, faith-based, non-profit organizations that provide seniors retirement living options with the highest quality of care. Both organizations are members of LeadingAge Texas and have been serving the San Antonio area for over 50 years.

Additionally, Morningside Ministries won Website of the Year Award from LeadingAge Texas.

“Morningside Ministries is honored to receive the award for Website of the Year. We are very flattered that an organization such as LeadingAge Texas would recognize our company for this prestigious accolade.

The goal of our website is to provide a service to those in need of help or guidance. Our website allows Morningside Ministries to continue to carry out it’s mission to “Care for Those Who Cared for Us.” We are privileged to have this recognition and we look forward to growing our web presence in the years to come.”