Genevieve “Jennie” Stokowski became the Kissing Cupid Bandit for the week, dressed up in Valentine’s attire and handing out a variety of flavors of Hershey’s Kisses to all the associates, residents, volunteers and visitors she came across.

As Stokowski put it, “Not everyone is lucky enough to have a valentine, so I thought I would spread some love to one and all!”

Stokowski greeted each person with this poem:

The Kissing Cupid is on the move

To spread some joy and cheer.

Here is a Kiss from me to you

Because I hold you so dear!

Anyone lucky enough to be spotted by the Kissing Cupid Bandit usually responded with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Kelly Dyer, activity director at the facility, came up with the idea.

“I wasn’t sure how well the program would be received since I am still the new girl on the block,” Dyer said. “However, with Jennie’s help, we were able to share smiles, hugs and laughter with some great folks.”

“I had a blast!” said Stokowski. “Who doesn’t feel good about spreading joy? I hope we do this again next year.”

Going along with the apple theme, the dietary department baked apple crisp and apple cake and served apple cider disguised as “Witches’ Brew.” Volunteers and residents spent the days leading up to the festival baking more than 100 apple pies to sell at the event.

The facility sold chances to win gift baskets, gift cards and various items donated from local businesses. Proceeds, along with food donations collected at the event, went to the Community Survival Center whose goal is to provide survival items of food, clothing and household goods to community members in times of need.

The program is self-sustaining through the support of the public and events such as the Apple Harvest Festival. In total, the festival raised more than $1,000 to benefit the Survival Center.

Multiple activities were available throughout the afternoon, including a witches’ brew game, a pumpkin toss and a photo op in the pumpkin patch. Children also participated in a costume contest and trick-or-treated throughout the facility, stopping at residents’ rooms for candy.

Visitors were treated to creative displays as each unit had participated in a decorate-your-department contest. The decoration themes included a mad scientist lab, witch haven and haunted forest.

“The residents’ eyes lit up as they handed out candy to the children in their costumes,” said Jan Garneau, admissions and marketing director. “The event was fun and successful for the Community Survival Center. We look forward to next year’s Apple Festival.”

The campus carnival allowed residents, families and the public to share in the fun at both facilities. Life Care Center of Wilbraham residents enjoyed old-fashioned carnival food such as fried dough and giant pretzels.

Residents at both buildings enjoyed playing the carnival games. Their favorite? Squirt the Clown in the Clown Car (alias Dennis Lopata, executive director).

“The most fun was seeing the residents smile and laugh when they participated in all the events, including soaking the ED,” said Lopata.

Anyone who played the carnival games won tickets to be used in a prize drawing. Prizes included gift certificates to area stores and fall gift baskets. Orchard Valley provided hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as additional games.

Residents and families enjoyed having their photos taken in the staged photo booths.

Food tokens cost 50 cents, and prize drawing tokens cost $1 each, or six for $5. All proceeds benefited the Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, Mass.

“I thought it was a very enjoyable day and was for a good cause – my son was treated at the Shriners Hospital,” said rehab patient Jerry Jahsman. “I was lucky and won two prizes.”

Jan Garneau, admissions and marketing director, shared, “What I found to be most fun was seeing how a carnival turns everyone into a kid again.”

The presentation took place during Life Care’s awards banquet, held at the corporate offices in Cleveland, Tenn. Forrest Preston, chairman and founder of Life Care; Beecher Hunter, Life Care president; and Bart Walker, senior vice president of operations presented Lopata with a crystal obelisk commemorating the award.

“Dennis Lopata has a servant’s heart for people – the residents he serves, the staff he leads, and the citizens of his community,” said Hunter. “He is a shining example of what customer service is all about.”

Lopata was praised for his leadership during the tornadoes that touched down in Springfield and Munson on June 2, 2012. While destruction through the area was widespread, the facility continued calmly caring for residents, even with the main power out.

“The morning of the 3rd, a small group of us headed to Wilbraham to offer support to the building and its employees in any way we could,” shared Faye Friedrich, division director of clinical services. “Dennis shared with us that both he and Lisa [Persson, director of nursing] had been at the building throughout the night ensuring the safety of their residents and their staff. He shared that between tornado touchdowns, the facility admitted three patients from an area hospital using flashlights and determination to get the job done.”

Dartigue Louis, resource utilization specialist for Life Care’s Northeast Division, also visited the facility that day.

“I experienced firsthand a calming effect that brought reassurance to everyone in the center,” Louis said. “The interaction between residents and the executive director was fun, full of laughter, and they called him by his first name. Dennis’ leadership was exceptional and influenced associates, residents and family members in a positive way as he wore his cap, made rounds and carried his flashlight in his back pocket.”

“It’s been an honor to be part of the Life Care team,” said Lopata. “I lead by example because of what I heard when I started with Life Care five years ago, the commitment to the mission of resident care.”

The Chairman’s Award is presented annually to the leader of an overall successful facility or organization whose outstanding performance demands recognition. Criteria include at least two years of service with Life Care, adherence to the company’s mission and values statement and successful financial performance.

Associates transformed the dining room into a ’60s concert hall with gold streamers and balloon pillars, and guest singer Jerome Riley (formally lead singer of The Platters) treated residents to music from the Motown era. Songs included such hits as “The Great Pretender,” “Unchained Melody,” “Only You” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”

Residents and associates dressed for the occasion by donning clothing from the era. It was difficult for the residents to recognize the executive director, Dennis Lopata, due to his new hairstyle. Lopata’s outfit looked so authentic one of the family members thought he was part of the act!

Residents’ voices filled the halls as they sang along to the familiar tunes. Many couldn’t stay in their chairs once the music started and were soon up dancing to the music.

“It was a super show,” said resident Theresa Laplante.

Each skilled nursing and rehab facility operated or managed by Life Care Centers of America strives to provide the best in care and rehab services, and each year, each building undergoes an audit of its core rehab program. The scores reflect excellence in four key areas: environment, human resources, clinical programming and systems management.

Facilities that earn a Gold scoring are shown to have a strong, stable team that is ready to go on to develop or grow a specialty, a niche in the community. They are eligible to become Rehab Centers of Excellence.

Eleven out of 18 of the Northeast Division’s facilities achieved the Gold score in 2011:

• Life Care Center of Acton, Mass.

• Life Care Center of Auburn, Mass.

• Life Care Center of Leominster, Mass.

• Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley in North Billerica, Mass.

• Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Littleton, Mass.

• Life Care Center of the North Shore in Lynn, Mass.

• Life Care Center of Raynham, Mass.

• Life Care Center of the South Shore in Scituate, Mass.

• Life Care Center of Wilbraham, Mass.

• The Highlands in Fitchburg, Mass.

• The Oaks in New Bedford, Mass.

“I am so proud of all the RSMs and their pursuit of excellence through the Rehab Centers of Excellence program,” said Zo Long, vice president of the Northeast Division. “I am very excited that we, as a division, are already at 94 percent combined Gold and Silver scores. The programs that our rehab departments have been implementing and developing are creating a tremendous demand for our services in the communities in which we serve.”