Local Car Community Supports Hospice Patient With Corvette Drive-in Event
Community members in Dayton recently went above and beyond to celebrate an Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton patient’s love of Chevrolet Corvette cars.
Bill Winesette has always been a classic car enthusiast. He has owned many cars over the years, but his prized possession was his 1998 Corvette. When he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a type of progressive dementia, he moved into River Oaks, a memory care community in Miamisburg, Ohio.
Upon his arrival at River Oaks, Bill became one of the community’s most well-known residents. “The nurses and staff love Bill,” said Andrea Noe, executive director at River Oaks. “His smile and personality are infectious.”
One afternoon, Andrea mentioned Bill and his love of Corvettes to Jennifer Foley, community outreach liaison at Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton. Once she heard about this, Jennifer reached out to make the Corvette drive-in event happen for Bill. “I am a firm believer that it takes a village, and so I reached out to my village,” Jennifer said. “Several people said they knew somebody that could help, or they would like to help.”
In a matter of 48 hours, she helped pull together a Corvette drive-in event. Fifteen cars and their drivers gathered at River Oaks to show their support for Bill. Members from the Greater Dayton Corvette Club and other Corvette owners participated in the event.
When it was time for the big surprise, Bill and his family were absolutely wowed by the group of cars that awaited him.
April Zwick, Bill’s daughter, was grateful for the support of the community. “I’m overwhelmed by the kindness that so many people thought of my dad and took the time to come out and give him a few minutes of joy,” she said. “This is the kind of thing he would have done for others. So, it means a lot that people thought of him.”
Jennifer was glad to help make the drive-in event happen. “Hospice care focuses on quality of life and making the most of life,” she said. “Our mission through our care is to always help our patients experience joy, reminiscence, laughter, reunion, and hope.”
Special thanks to the Winesette family, River Oaks, and the Greater Dayton Corvette Club for making this drive-in possible.
For more information about Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, please click here.
Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice, is a not-for-profit hospice provider. Since 1978, it has served patients and families in the Dayton region in their homes, extended care and assisted living facilities, and the Hospice House location in Dayton. A variety of grief support services are available to the entire community through the Pathways of HopeSM Grief Counseling Center. Support and education are provided by a team of counselors and social workers, all with significant experience and expertise in assisting grieving children, adolescents and adults. Pathways of Hope was established in 2002. Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton serves more than 1,000 patients and families daily, achieving national recognition for innovative services and outstanding care.
