Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO), Bluffton, will dedicate its new Willow Ridge campus, the first two Green House homes in Ohio, at 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 14. Dr. Bill Thomas, Ithaca, N.Y., The Green House Project founder, is the featured speaker.

The dedication takes place across from the Willow Ridge campus at Maple Crest Senior Living Village, 700 Maple Crest Court, and is open to the public.

The Oct. 14 dedication schedule follows:

1-2 p.m.  – Celebration and dedication of Willow Ridge at Maple Crest
2-3 p.m. – Open house of Willow Ridge
6:30-7:30 p.m. – Book signing, story telling and folk concert with Dr. Thomas at Maple Crest

Laura Voth, CEO of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio, said, “The Green House Project is a radical departure from traditional skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Green House homes are designed to look and feel like a real home.  Licensed and certified for 10 elders in each home, elders have more privacy, more choices and are considered ‘the stars of the show.’” 

Doug Luginbill, MHCO Director of Resource Development and Church Relations, said, “This project could not have been possible without the financial support and encouragement of the Bluffton-Pandora community and beyond. Over $1.84 million has been contributed to make this vision a reality.”

In October 2011, MHCO launched the $3.9 million Green House building project to create Willow Ridge, which is a licensed nursing care campus, home to 20 elders. Each home includes approximately 7,200 square feet of living space.

The project marks the first step in a long-range plan to bring from six to 10 Green House homes to the 15-acre Willow Ridge campus. The project's general contractor is Garlock Brothers Construction, Findlay. The architectural firm is pH7 Architects, Columbus. 

MHCO is Allen County’s largest comprehensive senior healthcare provider. It serves a four-county area around Bluffton. With over 250 employees it is one of the largest employers in Bluffton.

In case of inclement weather, the event will take place at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, 8905 Columbus Grove Road, Bluffton.