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Bobbie Jo Contreras, otherwise known as “Colorado County’s volunteer caregiver,” made her rounds throughout the community last week partnering with Arbor Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Eagle Lake, Columbus Oaks Assisted Living in Columbus, and Oak Bluff Village in Columbus to help glamorize the residents.
Contreras and her volunteers helped the nursing home and assisted living facilities with putting makeup on residents, doing their nails, pampering them with perfume, jewelry, taking glamour shots of them, and giving them cards and flowers.
Columbus Oaks Assisted Living resident Jane Booker said that the experience made her think of her childhood when she would try on hats from a trunk she had and dress up.
Contreras has been partnering with the local assisted living facilities for the past five years. LaBrittany Miller, activity director at Columbus Oaks Assisted Living Facility, said residents enjoyed when Contreras came to their facility to do the Mother’s Day Make Me Overs last year. Miller became the activity director in February 2022.
“The day of the event [the residents] really enjoyed themselves, so when she mentioned it this year I was thrilled and ready to give the ladies the best Mother’s Day possible,” Mi l ler said. “The ladies absolutely enjoyed getting treated like royalty. Ms. Bobbie Jo and her crew are absolutely amazing and really bring such a joy to our senior citizens.”
Contreras said she enjoys being able to visit the residents and appreciates when volunteers are able to assist her or donate to make the event successful.
“It makes my heart overjoyed,” Contreras said. “When [residents] tell me how much they appreciate what we do for them, it just makes me want to do more.”
Contreras and her volunteers are now preparing to partner with the assisted living facilities again for Father’s Day.
