He drives 75 miles one way every Tuesday of the year to visit his friends in Leitchfield. For nine years now he has been the Chaplain at Springview (formerly Leitchfield Healthcare Manor).
His hometown is located in Portland, Tennessee. His daughter, son and two grandchildren live in Tennessee also.
An average day visiting the center consists of singing Gospel and country music. Activities Director Cookie Dudgeon said Ondredka is quite the singer.
"Some of the residents in the community come out to hear the singing," explained Dudgeon. "There is a 92-year-old man who looks forward to Dave singing Gospel songs."
He also visits each of the residents. Then he will pray with them. Some of the other churches he visits during the week are Russellville and Hopkinsville in Kentucky.
Ondredka's hometown of Portland is a regular stop for him as well. He travels 600 miles each week spreading God's word to senior citizens.
For the Leitchfield location he arrives first thing in every Tuesday morning. The center has a meeting with him to discuss what has happened over the past week. Then sometime after lunch he will leave on his way to his next destination. This past Tuesday, July 3, was a special one for the residents.
Chaplain Dave had surprised them with a toy show.
"A lot of the toys are one of a kind," said Ondredka. "I have been collecting these toys since I was two-years-old."
When asked what some of his favorite toys were he said he liked anything pink. "Boys just don't like to play with pink toys," explained Ondredka. "So when I find a pink vehicle I buy it right away, they are very valuable."
A truck and trailer set caught the most attention from the residents. "I installed lights throughout the truck and trailer," said Ondredka. "Everybody seems to really like the flashing white lights."
He said the seniors would love to see the entire collection. "I don't know exactly how many toys I have," explained Ondredka. "But if you know how big an apple box is, I have 150 of those completely packed full."
Dave started out as a part time chaplain in Wisconsin. He thanks God everyday for the call that changed his life bringing him to Kentucky and Tennessee.
Reporter
mmudd@gcnewsgazette.com
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