By David Murchland - Marshfield Now!
MARSHFIELD — For 30 years, the Marshfield Area Respite Care Center has provided support, companionship, and relief to families caring for loved ones with memory impairments. Now, the organization is inviting the community to celebrate that milestone while supporting its mission through its annual Garden Walk fundraiser.
During a recent appearance on Marshfield Now!, Respite Care Center Director Marilyn Seidl-Kramer reflected on the organization's growth since opening three decades ago.
"We've gone from being a very small agency to quite a large agency," Seidl-Kramer said. "We're probably approaching helping about 900 families over the years."
Located at Wesley United Methodist Church, 211 S. Maple Ave., the Marshfield Area Respite Care Center provides a safe and engaging environment for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and other memory-related conditions. The center operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers activities designed to stimulate memories, encourage social interaction, and provide a sense of purpose.
Program Manager Sue Jansen, who began as a volunteer in 1998 and joined the staff in 2000, said participants benefit from a welcoming atmosphere where friendships often develop and long-held memories are rekindled through conversation, music, games, exercise, and creative activities.
For caregivers, the program offers something equally valuable: time.
Mary Asplin, whose husband Jim attended the center before his passing in March, said the respite services gave her an opportunity to rest, run errands, and maintain connections with friends while knowing her husband was receiving compassionate care.
"I just sat down on the couch and I fell asleep," Asplin recalled after arriving late to pick up her husband one day. "They told me that was wonderful because it meant I trusted them enough to take care of him while I got some rest."
Her daughter, Kathy Lotzer, said the center became especially important during the final months of her father's life.
"Knowing that mom could drop dad off and have that time to herself was wonderful," Lotzer said. "It was a godsend."
The center also hosts a monthly Memory Café, providing social opportunities for caregivers and participants alike. Activities range from visits by 4-H youth and animals to music, crafts, and games that encourage interaction and spark memories.
To support its scholarship fund and ensure no family is turned away due to financial hardship, the center will hold its 30th Anniversary Garden Walk on Sunday, July 12, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The self-guided tour will feature four community gardens, including two in the Town of McMillan and two in Marshfield.
In addition to touring the gardens, visitors can enjoy raffles, a silent auction, refreshments from Two and a Half Cups Cupcakery & Bake Shop, and live entertainment at Wesley United Methodist Church. The Heart of Wisconsin Sweet Adelines will perform at 2 p.m., followed by the Marshfield Ukulele Group at 3 p.m. Anniversary-themed T-shirts will also be available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance at the Marshfield Area Respite Care Center, the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce, or Shallow's Nursery. Tickets will also be available on the day of the event at Wesley United Methodist Church and at each of the featured gardens.
Funds raised through the Garden Walk help provide scholarships for participants who may otherwise be unable to afford services.
"In all the years I've worked there, we have never turned away anyone because of the inability to pay," Seidl-Kramer said.
The organization also welcomes volunteers and donations of supplies such as paper products, cleaning supplies, craft materials, canned goods, and bingo prizes. Those interested in volunteering or learning more about services can contact the Marshfield Area Respite Care Center at 715-384-8478 or visit its Facebook page.
As the center celebrates three decades of service, organizers hope the community will continue supporting a program that has helped hundreds of families navigate the challenges of memory loss while providing dignity, companionship, and much-needed respite.