Sharon Care: A Legacy of Compassion, Community and Home

By Juanita MacNaughton
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce

For more than seven decades, Sharon Care has been a part of the Centralia-Chehalis community, providing care that goes beyond meeting the physical needs of its residents. Since its beginnings in the 1950s, Sharon Care has grown and evolved while maintaining one important belief: quality care begins with compassion and a genuine sense of home.

Sharon Care’s story began in a two-story home with six bedrooms, each accommodating two residents. Remarkably, that original home is still part of the Sharon Care property today. What was once the home where Sharon Care began now serves as the facility’s activities room. It is a meaningful reminder of how far Sharon Care has come while keeping its history and roots at the heart of its community.

Today, Sharon Care provides skilled nursing, short-term care, physical therapy, memory care and trauma-informed care. While the facility has grown, its commitment to residents and the people who care for them remains at the heart of everything they do.

Jonathan Blood, head administrator at Sharon Care, joined the organization two years ago. One of the first things that stood out to him was the compassion among the staff and between staff and residents.

“It’s one of the most caring facilities I have ever worked in,” Blood shared. “It has been a pleasure to be a part of.”

That caring culture is reflected in the longevity of Sharon Care’s staff. The Housekeeping Supervisor has been with the organization for 34 years, the business office manager for 28 years, and the director of nursing for 10 years. Their years of experience help create the familiarity, trust and relationships that make Sharon Care feel like home.

For many families, Sharon Care becomes part of their family history. Over the years, residents have returned to the facility after having parents, grandparents or other loved ones receive care there. For these families, Sharon Care is more than a care facility—it is a familiar and trusted part of the community.

Sharon Care also believes there should always be room for fun. Its Fish Initiative is an employee engagement and culture-building program inspired by the FISH! philosophy, which emphasizes choosing your attitude, being present, making someone’s day and bringing a sense of fun to the workplace. At Sharon Care, that philosophy has evolved into activities such as scavenger hunts, where 3D-printed fish and other items are hidden throughout the building for staff, residents and leadership to discover. The goal is simple: encourage interaction, teamwork and a little fun throughout the day.

Community events are another important part of Sharon Care’s mission. On September 26, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sharon Care will host a classic car show featuring live music, hot dogs, door prizes and plenty of nostalgia. For residents, the classic cars can bring back memories of vehicles they once owned, places they traveled and people they shared those experiences with.

Pets are also a special part of life at Sharon Care. Volunteers and staff members often bring their pets to visit residents, creating moments of excitement, comfort and connection. These visits can brighten a resident’s day and provide another meaningful way for people and the community to connect.

From its humble beginnings in a small two-story home to the community it is today, Sharon Care continues to build its legacy on relationships, compassion and connection. Most importantly, Sharon Care strives to make every resident feel not simply cared for, but truly at home.