Senior Siblings Reunited:

Ganado's Alvin Svoboda and Shiner's Charlene Svoboda Oehl: Reconnected Just in Time for Thanksgiving, Ending a Two-Year Separation

Ganado,TX: Ganado's esteemed Alvin Svoboda, a longtime resident and beloved owner of Ganado Cinema, experienced a joyous reunion with his sister, Charlene Svoboda Oehl, on Monday, Nov. 20, at his senior living facility, Grow in Grace, in Ganado. Both siblings currently reside in senior living facilities, with Ms. Oehl at Shiner Nursing & Rehabilitation and have been separated for over two years due to inability to travel due to medical restrictions. Eager to visit her brother at his residence, Grow in Grace Senior Assisted Living in Ganado, special transportation was required due to her transportation and medical needs and Donna Coleman, Director of Professional Services & Public Information Officer at Jackson County Hospital, organized the necessary transportation to ensure the happy reunion.

Mr. Svoboda, with a legacy as the theater's owner and manager since 1977 and an employee since 1953, has been residing at Grow in Grace Senior Assisted Living in Ganado due to health challenges. Hindered by health restrictions, Ms. Oehl sought assistance on Facebook, and the community responded with overwhelming support, ensuring the reunion's feasibility. Coleman expressed gratitude, stating, "The success of this wouldn't have been achievable without the backing of RTransit of Jackson County, specifically Ida Ramirez, who provided the wheelchair-accessible bus and driver. A special acknowledgement goes to our Jackson County Hospital District EMS for their medical standby support during the sibling reunion."

The special reunion took place on Monday, November 20th, at 10 a.m. at Grow in Grace Senior Assisted Living in Ganado, the assisted living residence of Mr. Svoboda. Thanks to the proactive support of Jackson County Hospital District, specifically from Donna Coleman, Ms. Oehl was transported from her Shiner nursing home to Ganado for the long-awaited reunion. Remarkably, the siblings’ reunion coincided with Mr. Svoboda's birthday on November 20th, adding an extra layer of joy to the occasion.