The AHEPAN Fall 2020 - 32

HOUSING

Amid Pandemic, A Creative Approach Residents Enjoy a
to Bingo for Wilmington Residents
Lunch Courtesy of
Albert Trego, AHEPA 408 Service Coordinator
Nashville Ahepans

A few weeks prior to the state and county-imposed shelter-in-place orders in
Wilmington, N.C., due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, AHEPA 408
Apartments Service Coordinator Albert Trego had received hundreds of bingo cards
and blotters from two residents. A few years ago, these residents had helped facilitate bingo. Albert found a bingo cage roller with balls and a board in storage. He
had all the items needed for the residents to enjoy bingo again.
However, when it became apparent
the pandemic would require a long-term
restriction, Albert revisited the idea of
bingo. He wanted to introduce a property-wide activity that was engaging.
By asking a few of the residents and
the property manager, Emma Adams,
about bingo, Albert realized that even
though the idea of hallway bingo sounded
like a good idea, it was not logistically feasible. He determined the bingo cards would
have to be contact-free and delivered to each resident and that the numbers played
would have to be "called" differently. To achieve this, he posted the drawn numbers
next to the elevator on each floor. It was easy for the residents and safe because it
did not require residents to gather. He made necessary accommodations for housebound residents, that included having the residents call him or the property manager
(depending on the day of the week) to request the daily numbers. The residents continue to play four numbers a day with each game lasting a week to 10 days before
declaring a winner.
The local Assistance League, a non-profit that hosts activities and events for
seniors, donated about 30 items to be used as door prizes for the residents. As of
July, they have played about six games with seven or eight winners. The residents
have been having a lot of fun.

AHEPA Chapter 343 provided a lunch to the
50 residents of the AHEPA House in LaVergne,
Tenn., on July 17. With movements restricted
by COVID-19 guidelines, Vice President Jeff
Bogdan and Treasurer Demetri Pagonis prepared barbecue chicken and all the fixings and
the meals were hand delivered to residents
In their rooms by Regional Manager Tammy
Franks, Manager Elizabeth Pena, and Ahepan
James Vaughn.
"We provide a luncheon to our residents at
least three times a year and it's a large gathering in the dining hall," AHEPA National
Housing Executive Board Member John Miller
said. "However, due to the pandemic, that was
no longer possible. We were faced with the likelihood of suspending the tradition, but thanks
to Demetri and Jeff, we found a way to let our
residents know that we care about them."

AHEPA 489 Apartments staff secures grant to help provide
free meals to residents
The staff of AHEPA 489 Apartments, New Port Richey,
Fla., continues to excel. The property was awarded
a COVID-19 grant, helping the staff to provide the
residents with a free, hot meal from a local caterer
delivered to their doors every day until the end of
the year. In addition, the staff worked with Publix
Supermarkets to deliver pastries and breads every
Tuesday.

32 | THE AHEPAN · Fall 2020

www.ahepa.org

http://www.ahepa.org

The AHEPAN Fall 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN Fall 2020