December 2007

For Immediate Release:

CONTACT: Cheryl H. Wade, Director for Philanthropy, at 610-335-1223

The Cabell Foundation is pleased to announce that a challenge grant for $40,000 has been awarded to construct a sunroom and enhanced lobby for Kendal at Lexington’s Benjamin Borden Health Center. In keeping with Kendal at Lexington’s legacy of giving, matching funds will be raised one-to-one with new gifts pledged after November 15th, 2007. 

“It is our earnest hope,” states Steve Jewell executive director for Kendal at Lexington, “that matching donations, which are required to reach our goal, will assist us in transforming the living experience for residents of the Borden Health Center - from the moment they arrive – under the new canopy and entrance – to the availability of two new comfortable and bright open places for them to enjoy. It is also our hope that family members will enjoy visiting loved ones even more when these brighter and more spacious options are available.”

The Borden Health Center Improvement Project includes three major changes that will take place by 2009. The most significant change will be the addition of a sunroom.  This new sunroom space will provide a necessary oasis for residents and a place where they can participate in planned activities as well as simple things such as people and bird watching, spiritual reflection, reading newspapers, and visiting with friends and family.  This enhancement will provide greater access to sunlight which has been proven to assist in alleviating depression.

The sunroom will be accessed from the existing entrance lobby by replacing a current three-section window with a set of French doors. The addition will be on the northwest side of the building, providing views of the adjacent pastures of Sunnyside farm and the rolling hills beyond. While the new sunroom will blend with the current architecture it will have a distinct look with three sides that will be predominantly windows. The room is also proposed to have an open-truss, cathedral-type ceiling, with skylights and fans, to add to the sense of spacious airiness. Furnishings will allow for wheelchair and walker accessibility throughout the sunroom.

In addition to the sunroom, the improvement project includes renovating the entrance lobby and furnishing it in a residential living room style, with several small conversation areas. Enhancing this space will make it more inviting and provide an alternate lively and interesting space for residents to spend time away from their rooms visiting with family, one another, or just enjoying some peace and quiet in a bright, comfortable room.

The final piece of the project is the addition of a covered entrance. This structure will attach to the existing building, extending the entrance cover over the driveway. The new extended cover will be tall enough to accommodate transport vehicles which are picking up or returning residents to the health center, the Kendal activity bus and private passenger vehicles. The purpose of this extended cover is to protect Kendal's frailest residents, many in walkers, wheelchairs, and even stretchers, from rain, snow and sun while they are assisted in and out of a vehicle.

Kendal at Lexington, an 85 acre Continuing Care Retirement Community located in Lexington Virginia, has been providing services for older adults since July 2000. Kendal at Lexington was built through the generosity of its committed founders and visionary benefactors who worked diligently to bring their vision to life. In October 2002, the Benjamin Borden Health Center was opened as a result of a definite need in the greater Lexington community. The health center serves both Kendal residents and the greater Lexington community and provides care and services for up to 60 residents. Kendal at Lexington owes its existence to generous giving and continues this legacy in providing these major improvements to residents through charitable donations.