JANUARY 29, 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com 18 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Call Today For Your Free Estimate Call Mark Anytime At 956-357-1048 WE WANT TO BUY YOUR TRUCK•CAR•SUV•VAN RV TRAVEL TRAILER•5TH WHEEL•MOTOR HOME•BUS CARGO OR FLATBED TRAILER•ATV•MOTORCYCLE•BOAT MINI-MOTOR HOME•CAMPER VAN•TOY HAULER •GOLF CART WE WANT TO BUY YOUR RV 5% Financing Available Planned Activities • Best Facilities Free Wired Internet & Cable Ranchero Village 1900 S. Bridge Ave., Weslaco (956) 968-6223 Homes by Ranchero Sales, License #MHDRET00001830 Website: www.RancheroVillageTX.com New 16’x66’ 2025 Fleetwood* $89,900 Top Community *New 2025 Fleetwood Now Available As Pictured sponders at Victoria Palms. These First Responders are trained and certified. They attend first aid, CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) training. They also receive hands-on training from someone from the local fire department. The parks have a tool to help them, and paramedics, with medical emergencies, too. Residents at the parks are given special red envelopes that they ask them to put on their fridge. The outside of the envelope has directions for the resident: 1. Call 9-1-1, 2. Call First Responder Cell (phone number listed), 3. Turn on the outside light, if it is night, 4. Keep your information updated. Inside the red envelope are information sheets that contain full name, age, date of birth, Texas and northern address, medical history, if there is a DNR in effect, doctors names and contact (local and northern), hospital preferences, insurance information, veteran information, emergency contacts, and current medications. All pertinent information is in this envelope in case the individual is unresponsive or must be taken to the hospital. Nancy Wester, leader at Victoria Palms, said she knows their program dates back to 2006. A previous resident, Brian MacPherson started the program at the park, and several others in the Valley. COVID shut the program at their park, and many others, down. With the help of Rich Shamory, leader at Llano Grande RV Resort, they have been able to pick back up where they left off. They also hold fundraisers to help them purchase what they need for the program like replacement pads and batteries for the AED, repairs to the golf car they use to respond to calls, and to keep their responder bag fully stocked with RESPONDERS From pg. 1 all the required basic essentials. They carry gauze, bandages, tourniquets, gate belts for lifting, sanitized cleaners, blood pressure machine and an oximeter, if needed. Both Shamory and Wester feel this program is important for their residents, and community. Wester said it’s a very rewarding experience, helping others. She was encouraged to make sure she was able to help people when the Alton Bus Accident happened just down the road from her in 1989. I saw what was happening and “I never felt so helpless.” It was then that she decided she would get certified in CPR and first aid to be able to help others in some way if the need arose. Wester said Victoria Palms has a lot of amenities. These are seniors we are helping, she said. “Anything can happen.” “Whether it happens in our restaurant, the ballroom, our woodshop, our pickleball courts, or simply in our homes, people can call us, and we will immediately respond. We use our training the best way we know how to, until a professional person can take over,” said Wester. “Sometimes, it is as simple as just trying to keep a person calm and trying to keep them from thinking the worst of things. “I always tell my Responders to try to put yourself in their place and think of how they are feeling or thinking. You never want to say or do something that will make them panic at the thought of something.” The first responders come from all kinds of backgrounds. Many with no experience. They also have retired nurses, firefighters, and police officers in the programs. Victoria Palms currently has 18 Responders and 15 helpers. One responder and one helper are put on 24-hour call, twice a month. They only operate during the park’s peak period from January through March. Llano Grande’s team not only helps the park, but also the community. They were probably the
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