ABOUT
On the ball field, major leaguer, Lou Burdette, was known as an outstanding Milwaukee Braves pitcher who was named most valuable player in the 1957 World Series. At home, Burdette was the most valuable player of a different kind.
In his final years, Burdette stood by the side of his wife, Mary Ann, caring for her as she struggled with Alzheimer’s disease. He was a strong, caring and loving family man who put the role of caregiver ahead of every thing else, his daughter Mary Lou Burdette Wieloszynski said.
Burdette died in 2007 at age 80 in Winter Garden, and his wife died four months later. To make sure Burdette’s memory lives on, his family started the Lou Burdette Caregiver Fund – a way to help the elderly population and their caregivers.
Now, they’re ready to boost to the charitable organization with the addition of Lou’s Place – A Care Cottage. The facility, which will offer respite for the elderly and their caregivers is open at 1150 W. Minneola Ave.
‘‘The goal is to help people to be able to take care of their loved ones and their family members,” Burdette-Wieloszynski said. ‘We’re looking at the whole gamut to help our community members.”
For the past 28 years, Burdette-Wieloszynski has worked with the elderly, most recently running a local franchise of Granny Nannies, an in-home health-care agency that helps seniors. Because Granny Nannies is paying the overhead of rent and utilities on the building, donations are going directly to services, she said.
It is housing the adult day-care facility and classes to teach caregivers about helping their loved ones.