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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | APRIL 26, 2020
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Friends honor Scottsdale centenarian with a parade BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer
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t 11 a.m. last Wednesday, more than 20 vehicles lined up around the corner from Greenway Home Care, an assisted living facility located in southern Scottsdale. Friends, family and Hospice of the Valley staffers congregated to celebrate the 100th birthday of a special Scottsdale resident, Opal Grandon, with drive-by parade. Grandon comfortably watched from her Hawaiian-themed, balloon-arched throne designed by Scottsdale-based event planner Nancy Mantei Events, and said the parade made her feel like a queen. “She’s an independent lady with oldschool values, fun-loving and generous, was always there to help someone in need, loved to travel, saw many parts of the world. She lived life to the fullest, loves life. This is why she lived 100 years,” said TR
More than 20 vehicles lined up around the Greenway Home Care, an assisted living facility in southern Scottsdale for a luau-themed drive-by birthday parade for Opal Grandon, who turned 100 on April 21. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)
Wilt, Grandon’s nephew, who, along with his wife Jane Wilt, attended the parade.
Grandon’s hospice care team partnered with Greenway Home Care to throw Gran-
don the luau-themed celebration because she spent four months talking about having a luau for her 100th birthday. “Opal and her sister, Garnet, traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, for a vacation and spent approximately one month there,” explained Samantha Teddi Deetz, a hospice licensed master social worker. “This is why a luau theme is so special to her and so meaningful as it reminds her of those happy memories.” The team organized the parade in less than four days and relatives in attendance included her nephews and nieces. “Unfortunately, due to the current COVID-19 virus and social distancing limitations, the group home has had to implement temporary visit restrictions in order to keep the staff and residents healthy and safe. Opal’s Hospice of the Valley team felt that since this is such a monumental birth-
see OPAL page 20
Local school comes to healthworkers’ aid BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer
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usinesses and young people across the country are using 3D printers to make mask straps for healthcare professionals. Joining the nationwide effort is Fusion Academy Scottsdale, a grade 6-12 school at Gainey Ranch that recently made 100 mask straps for St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. “St. Joseph’s Foundation is extremely grateful for the donation from Fusion Academy Scottsdale to support emergency response efforts at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center,” said St. Joseph’s Foundation President Terri Hoffman. Fusion Academy Scottsdale Head of School Patrick Thompson said when they
Fusion Academy Scottsdale’s art, history, and photography teacher Hali Niles made 100 mask straps over the course of two days using the school’s 3D printer. (Fusion Academy Scottsdale)
heard that healthcare professionals were complaining about the long hours of wearing face masks and the strain the straps put on their ears, they put their two 3D printers to use. Hali Niles, Fusion Academy Scottsdale’s art, history and photography teacher, made the straps over the course of two days. She spent 15 hours each day printing them on campus. “The machines [were] running nonstop,” Niles said. Fusion Academy Scottsdale then donated the mask straps on April 18. “They’re just very grateful, very happy that we were able to help them out,” Thompson said. “We know how important their job is, and we just want to do all we can to make sure that they are safe.” Since, Fusion Academy has received calls
from ICU nurses in Minnesota and Florida requesting the 3D-printed straps. “We were also contacted by a few more people throughout the country who had seen our interview on channel 10 news,” Thompson said. “We’ve actually been able to ship them out to Minnesota and Florida to help ICU nurses there as well. We’re going to help out as much as we can,” he added. Because nurses have been spending 12plus hours taking care of COVID-19 patients, the masks irritate not only the face, but also the ears. “The mask straps are designed to relieve pressure on caregivers’ ears, providing a little more comfort during what can be very stressful days,” Hoffman explained.
see FUSION page 18
