Surplus Walkers Need to Go

Are you in need of a walker and your health care insurance doesn’t cover it? Or are you a rehab facility or a medical center that could use a few more in their inventory? No worry, Heartland Independent Living Center has a surplus that they are willing to donate to those who need them in the community on a first come first serve basis.

Heartland is grateful that so many have recently been donated for those in need. Usually, Heartland would hold on to them until a need arises; however, with the upcoming renovations on the Heartland building, storage space will be limited.

“We want to make good use of the gifts we’ve been given.” Resource Development Coordinator Tiffany Reid, said. “Rather than place these items in storage, we want to be proactive in getting these items back into the community where they are needed.”

If you’re interested in getting one for yourself, a loved one, to have on hand at your church or civic organization or if you simply need some for your rehab or medical facility please contact Heartland at 573-437-5100.

Lab Comforts Nursing Home Residents

Ray Vermillion has been a paraplegic for 25 years, but he doesn’t let his disability keep him from things he wants to do.  A country boy at heart, Ray lives in a farmhouse not far from the Gasconade River outside of Vienna.  His loyal companion, Lady, is a black lab who showed up on the property and took up residence with him.  Although Ray uses a stripped down wheelchair for indoor mobility and traveling, the rough terrain outside requires a more rugged motorized set of wheels.  “We love it out here in the country,” says Ray.  “Living in town is like being in jail.”

One of the things Ray likes to do is visit his 93-year old grandmother, Beulah, in the nursing home.  Once a month Ray and Lady drive to Meramec Nursing Center in Sullivan where they visit grandma and other residents.  Fellow dog lovers welcome Lady and are glad to have the opportunity to reconnect with “man’s best friend.”  Even Smokey, the resident cat, has come to accept Lady on the premises.  “Residents look forward to Lady’s visits,” states the Center’s Assistant Administrator Donna Barns.  “She’s very gentle and her presence comforts our residents.”

Ray Vermillion and his black lab, Lady, visit his 93-year old grandmother at Meramec Nursing Center in Sullivan.  During Ray’s monthly visit, Lady makes her regular rounds visiting other residents as well.  

INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids for the Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) Project will be received by HILC,1010 Hwy 28 West, Owensville, MO 65066, until 1:00 PM CST, on Thursday, September 04, 2014 and then be publicly opened and read aloud. The Scope of Work includes renovation of a 14,500 SF office. It includes demolition, new standing seam metal roofing, exterior wall panels, front façade, HVAC units, electric, and other incidental items and work described in the Project Manual, or reasonably inferable therefrom. Sitework includes new water line, parking lot sealing and striping.

Phase One bid package will be bid as part of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) project # 2013-PF-04. Phase Two bid package is not being bid at this time.

Bid packages will be available after 1:00 PM on August 14th and may be obtained from the office of Cochran located at 530A East Independence Drive, Union, MO 63084, upon payment of a non-refundable fee of $100.00 for a hardcopy set and/or $25.00 for an electronic disk. Please call prior to picking up (636-584-0540). Plans will also be available for viewing at Dodge Plan Room and Reed Plan Room.

A mandatory prebid meeting for general contractors (subcontractors may attend) will be held on August 21, 2014 at 10:00 AM, at HILC, 1010 Hwy 28 West, Owensville, MO 65066.

The wage rates applicable to this project have been predetermined as required by law and are set forth in this specification. When Federal wage rates are applicable and included, this contract is subject to the “Work Hours Act of 1962,” (P.L. 87-581: 76 Stat. 357) and implementing regulations. Attention of bidders is particularly called to the requirements as to conditions of employment to be observed and minimum wage rate, to be paid under contract, Section 3, Segregated Facility, Section 109, and E.0. 11246.

Effective January 1, 2009, and pursuant to RSMo 285.530 (1), No business entity or employer shall knowingly employ, hire for employment, or continue to employ an unauthorized alien to perform work within the state of Missouri. The successful bidder must submit a sworn affidavit and documentation affirming the business entity's enrollment and participation in the federal work authorization program and that all of its employees working for the contracted services are not illegal immigrants.

Upon signing the contract, the successful contractor and any subcontractor performing the work shall provide a ten-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) construction safety program for their on-site employees.

Companies owned and/or operated by individuals with disabilities are encouraged to bid on this project. HILC hereby notifies all bidders that it will ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, these companies and all other companies will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

No bidder may withdraw his bid within 60 days after the actual date of the opening thereof.

THE OWNER INTENDS TO AWARD THE CONTRACT TO THE MOST RESPONSIVE, RESPONSIBLE BIDDER SUBMITTING THE LOWEST BID. THE OWNER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS, AND TO WAIVE ANY IRREGULARITIES IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE OWNER.