September 2, 2026 | Resources
Wildfire season struck close to home, consuming our blue skies, pine-covered hills and rolling grasslands, and making the area dangerous for the many Spokane residents. It was during the most recent fires that our Vineyard Park family saw true heroism in the staff, residents and families who call Vineyard Park home.
Through dedication, compassion and courage, the teams at Vineyard Park South Hill, Maplewood Gardens and Vineyard Park Cottages Spokane came together, echoing our five core values: Care, Consistency, Compliance, Community and Contribution.
Shining through the challenges
As National Assisted Living Week begins this September, an annual observance established by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), we’re taking a moment to shine a light on the staff whose compassion and dedication meant so much to our residents during the wildfires. In a difficult time, they were an enduring light in the smokey darkness.
The 5 Cs in action
At Vineyard Park, our five core values aren’t just on paper, they’re lived daily in the actions every individual takes. And during the Spokane wildfires, their commitment shined through.
- Care meant offering comfort to frightened residents.
- Consistency meant remaining calm as conditions rapidly changed.
- Compliance meant following emergency procedures carefully.
- Community meant helping wherever e needed, even beyond our own walls.
- Contribution meant giving time and energy even on days that were already draining.
The dedication, compassion and courage that was evident during this most challenging time is the reason Vineyard Park has become a place where residents feel at home, families feel connected and staff feel valued.
Extending a helping hand to a neighboring senior living community
As the fires forced evacuations, a neighboring senior living community suddenly needed help relocating its residents. The Vineyard Park team did not hesitate. Our Spokane communities opened available rooms, provided meals and temporary accommodations, assisted with transportation and helped residents safely reach their next destination.
By sharing our staff, facilities and regional resources, we helped ensure that residents facing uncertainty and fear knew they were not being left behind while giving the team responsible for their care the support they needed to navigate an incredibly difficult time.
Three senior living communities, one response
A crisis may have forced us into emergency action, but it was our regional network that truly transformed into a seamless support system.
At Vineyard Park South Hill: Staff immediately prepared rooms and welcomed displaced neighbors with warmth, making sure each person felt safe and cared for. This was genuine care in action.
At Maplewood Gardens: The team cared for residents awaiting transport to the Tri-Cities, offering meals, reassurance and a calm place to wait. As conditions outside shifted by the minute, the staff’s consistency never wavered, providing the steadiness residents and families could count on.
At Vineyard Park Cottages Spokane: Teams remained on high alert, ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice while keeping current residents comfortable and their loved ones updated. Every step followed emergency procedures carefully, demonstrating the importance of compliance and the responsibility we have to those in our care.
With gratitude
To our extraordinary staff across Spokane and beyond, thank you for your courage, your compassion and your unwavering dedication. This commitment echoes what it really means to be rooted in community and defined by care.