Local Volunteer Nominated For Statewide Honor



Samantha Jane Raines has been nominated for the Tennessee Health Care Association’s (THCA) 2011 Individual Volunteer of the Year award. For two years, Raines has visited the residents of Woodbury Health Center each week.

THCA’s Individual Volunteer of the Year award recognizes a person who spends personal time to tend to the needs of nursing home patients. The award is one of 14 statewide honors presented annually by THCA recognizing outstanding individuals and programs in Tennessee’s long-term care facilities. The winner will be announced in August during THCA’s Annual Convention & Trade Show in Nashville.

Three-year-old Raines and her grandmother visit the residents weekly, and she brings smiles to their faces. She spends time with them and likes to play ball. She also visits residents in the hospital.

“There are thousands of volunteers helping in Tennessee’s nursing homes each year,” said THCA Executive Director Jesse Samples. “These awards give us the opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond, offering their time, talents and resources to improve the lives of the elderly and disabled living in long-term care facilities.”

 THCA is a nonprofit organization whose members include long-term care facilities located throughout the state. For more information about nursing homes and assisted care living facilities, visit www.thca.org.