Published: November 19, 2009 12:11 am      

Colleen Ladd shares special day with Howard Haven residents

For the past decade, Colleen Ladd has provided a little cheer to the 23 residents of Howard Haven. It was the place she wanted to celebrate her 80th birthday.

Residents and staff of Howard Haven provided Ladd Wednesday with her favorite meal — beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans and, of course, a birthday cake.

Seated in the lounge and dining room, Ladd wore a broad smile on her face and chatted with residents and visitors on her special day.

“I love these people, they’re my kind of people,” Ladd said of the Howard Haven residents. “They’re just plain, common people — the salt of the earth. I love to come visit and just talk.”

Ladd started as a volunteer a decade ago, bringing needed supplies and small gifts to veterans living at Howard Haven. That expanded to also include two residents who had no family members.

“I take them out to eat on their birthday; wherever they want to go,” Ladd said with a smile. “I bring them something special at Christmas and Easter and little treats during the year.”

Ladd said the residents have grown on her and she visits at least once a month.

“That’s where I wanted to be,” she said of the birthday celebration.

Ladd said when she first started visiting Howard Haven, there wasn’t much there in the form of amenities for the residents.

“They’re getting more attention,” she said. “They tell me I should sell everything and move in here.”

Ladd said the birthday party is a special event for the residents.

“I love the summer, just sitting out there and talking with them,” she said. “When I go home, I feel better.”

Ladd was raised in Greentown and moved to Swayzee, returning to Howard County in 1994.

Jennifer Vary, director of Howard Haven, said Ladd’s Sunday visits are special for the residents. She brings birthday cards and gifts.

“The residents wanted to give something back to her,” Vary said of the birthday party.

Vary said Ladd treats the residents like family and spends time out of her day with them.

“She is a huge asset to the home,” Vary said.

Former director Tom Tolen said Ladd first started helping the veterans and the other residents won her over.

She specifically asked about residents who didn’t have family members visiting at Howard Haven.

“She brings nice little things for them,” Tolen said of Ladd’s gifts for the residents. “It’s wonderful that she gives so much to the residents. She’s older than some of the people living here.

“This is her place, this is where she is happy.”

• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at 765-454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com