Patty Dobson Orr was promoted from a shift leader to an RHA Howell Group Home Manager in September 2009. She has excelled in this position since day one. The hours and responsibilities that come with being a manager can be very demanding, but Patty has accepted the responsibility and gone above and beyond the call of duty without exception. She always strives to be an advocate as well as a friend to the people we support. Thank you Patty for all your hard work and dedication. Below is a letter from Earl W. Hartenstine, Jr., whose sister Barbara lives at Shelburne in Mint Hill.

Dear Ms. Rivera:

“I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate RHA Howell‘s Patty Dobson. I believe RHA Howell is very fortunate to have such a wonderful person as Patty as one of your managers. My sister Barbara Hartenstine, a resident at Shelburne in Mint Hill, always tells me how much she likes Patty. Under Patty's supervision and much hard work, the home at Shelburne has a real feeling of “home.” My sister calls Shelburne her home and I believe Patty has made it that way. When I went for a recent visit to Shelburne for an open house, the entire home looked great. I talked to a neighbor, a man named Woody, about age 74 or 75, who lives across the street and he was very impressed. He said RHA Howell at Shelburne is an excellent neighbor.

I know Patty worked very hard fixing up Dixie‘s and Barbara‘s room for the open house. Their bedroom looked great and both Dixie and Barbara were very excited to show me all the changes in their room, family pictures, Elvis quilt on the wall, and everything in the room very neat and organized. Finally, this past April, Patty was fantastic helping my sister get ready for her first prom. My sister attended Joy Prom 2011 at Carmel Baptist Church in Matthews, NC. Patty helped my sister get ready for the prom and made that night very special for her.

RHA Howell is certainly very lucky to have someone of Patty's talents and dedication as part of your organization.”

Sincerely, Earl W. Hartenstine, Jr.