River Garden Hebrew Home event commemorates 30-year anniversary in Mandarin in December

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Dec. 26, 2019 - PRLog -- Business leaders, board members, philanthropists, administrators, legacy staff, volunteers, and family and friends gathered on December 10 to commemorate 30 years since River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged relocated from its original three-acre site on Stockton Street in the Riverside area of Jacksonville, Fla., to its new home in Mandarin. The 40-acre River Garden Senior Services campus is located at 11401 Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville.

Featured speakers and 75 guests reminisced about December 10, 1989 when staff, board members and more than 300 volunteers assisted the 167 Stockton Street residents to move, with all their belongings, to the new Mandarin facility. According to Martin 'Marty' A. Goetz, CEO, the move was reported to be the largest one-day relocation of nursing home residents anywhere in the nation. "We celebrate our history and the thriving community that honors River Garden. Without the watchful eye of our caring team, staff, volunteers and hundreds of others, we would not be here today," said Goetz, a 41-year career professional at River Garden. "The award-winning home and senior services facility is a cornerstone among top care facilities in the state of Florida and throughout the nation. We are very, very proud and will work hard to serve the generations going forward," he said.

River Garden was founded in 1946 by The Ladies Hebrew Sheltering Aid Society. The dedicated and prophetic Jewish women saw a need to establish a home for the elderly. "River Garden will always support and add services and programs as our commitment to excellence. We remember our heritage along with past and present leaders who respect the duty to serve people of all faiths, while maintaining an environment supportive of Jewish identity and informed by Jewish values. River Garden is a significant and historic community resource," said Goetz.

The not-for-profit Home is a top-rated 180-bed care center for Short-Stay Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Long-Term Nursing and Memory Care. In 2012, a 10,000-square-foot wing was added to include the Adult Day Program, Jewish Life and Volunteer Services, and one of the largest, and most respected rehabilitation and therapy gyms in Jacksonville. The River Garden Foundation and River Garden Auxiliary raise money to help subsidize the immediate needs of the people who call River Garden their home. River Garden also serves as host for several senior-focused programs throughout the year.  For more information, visit the website at http://www.rivergarden.org.