Lockard employees decorate Western Home Communities

by KRISTIN GUESS newsroom@wcfcouirer.com



source: http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/lockard-employees-decorate-western-home-communities/article_2177512c-e3f1-512d-a612-85453b0401a2.html



CEDAR FALLS | While many are pondering gift ideas this time of year, employees of one local business decided to give something that keeps on giving — their time.



More than 20 employees of the Lockard Cos., located in the Pinnacle Prairie development in Cedar Falls, took the afternoon off work Monday to decorate trees and hang garland at the Western Home Communities, which serves more than 800 residents.



“Every year we try and pick some organization and just help out as part of Christmas and … try and model for all of our great associates what we all ought to be doing,” said Ken Lockard, chairman of Lockard Cos. “It’s easy to write a check. It’s hard to give your time.”



Crews set up and decorated more than 30 interior trees at seven buildings around the Western Home campuses on East 11th Street and South Main Street in Cedar Falls. More than 60 wreaths were hung on the Windcrest villas and town homes in the Pinnacle Prairie development area.



“It’s wonderful to have the help because it’s a lot to decorate,” said Linda Hudwalker Bowman, chief communications officer at Western Home Communities.



In the past Western Home employees have spent more than a week hanging decorations, which took Lockard employees one afternoon.



“It was like, hallelujah! Thank you from sweet God,” said Sharon Lukes, senior director of assistant living at Stanard Family Assisted Living Center.



Residents of the Stanard Center and Elizabeth E. Martin Health Center joined the volunteers for the afternoon.



“It’s great. We do everything for Christmas. We decorate, we sing … we eat,” said Ruby Kruse, a resident at the Stanard Center.



This month residents of the Western Home will enjoy holiday parties, complete with a meal and entertainment, in every building.



Last year the employees at Lockard volunteered with Cedar Valley United Way and Northeast Iowa Food Bank.



“We worked anywhere from the food pantry to the carpeting to painting to all sorts of different things,” Lockard said. “Just a fun thing we do on an annual basis.”



Western Home employees utilized more than 10,000 hours of volunteer help last year, according to Bowman.



“I think it’s unique that a company offers you half a day of they’re time. We’re very grateful,” she said. “It becomes an event that everyone can get involved with.”