Ryan Taylor used his many talents to make improvements to the center. His latest project is a porch for residents to sit outside and enjoy.
Ryan Taylor used his many talents to make improvements to the center. His latest project is a porch for residents to sit outside and enjoy. Photos courtesy of Twyla Taylor
Members of the Holbrook High School Key Club volunteer their time to beautify the halls of the Holbrook Extended Care.
Students at the wood shop including Kindee Yazzie, Aryanna Bennett, Abigail Chee, Dorothy Janzen, Kylyn White, Lakeshia Wood, Jordan Ruggle and their teacher Erik Salley, built activities boards for the facility’s residents.
Tully Yazzie shows one of his paintings, his artist talents were also put to use with a mural of Canyon de Chelly.
Michelle, a member of the Holbrook High School Key Club, paints a beautiful scenic painting for the residents at Holbrook Extended Care.

When it comes to caring for community, few can match the efforts of a group of Holbrook residents who have dedicated their time and talent to ensure residents at the Holbrook Extended Care know that they are loved and cared for.

Twyla Taylor, who has long been a community advocate, began by taking books from the public library years ago to share with the readers that were living there and as time went by, it was noticed that the wall murals had become drab and dull. Taylor explained that the care facility director, Lisa Salazar asked if volunteers could help by painting over the murals with brighter colors believing that it would be uplifting for staff and clients who work and live in the facility.

Following this request, this past spring Ryan Taylor’s family volunteered to whitewash the 4×8 panels so that volunteers from Holbrook High School’s Key Club could draw and paint new murals. It was as the idea was unfolding that Tully Yazzie, one of the clients living at the extended care stepped forward expressing his artist talent. Taking brush to hand, he created a beautiful Canyon de Chelly panel for one of the walls.

In addition, Erik Salley and his wood shop students at Holbrook Unified School District created four activity boards for the seniors, to be placed along the hallways using supplies provided by Home Depot.

But the work isn’t done. Next year a garden spot is being developed with supplies donated by Tractor Supply and Rick Taylor is building a porch over the entrance to the extended care in order to provide shade for all that come and go.

The funding for the projects is generated by volunteers selling food items, cookies, jams, fresh eggs, and more. Currently, there is a raffle to collect funds for emergency needs for the building, including a $26,000 heating and cooling system to replace one that may not last much longer.

Twyla Taylor noted that resident Ron Smith has been the backbone of fundraising for projects and improvements, saying he has collected $3,000 worth of items for the current raffle. The drawing of which will be Saturday, Dec 13, before the Christmas parade.

To learn more about the raffle and how to contribute time and funding at the extended care facility, contact the Holbrook Extended Care Center at 928-524-2344.