Spreading Joy: Hawthorn Residents Give Back to their Community
One of the greatest gifts that becomes available to us in retirement is the ability to give more of ourselves to our favorite causes. With more free time, we can finally take up those things we put aside to do “one day.” The holidays are a time of year many people think of giving back. From food drives to toy donations, the opportunities to support one’s community are endless. At Hawthorn Senior Living, giving back is part of our philosophy, and our residents and team members make it their mission to make a difference.
Research shows how important volunteering and giving back is for older adults’ mental and physical wellness. Living purposeful days gives people a sense of attainment at every age. Those feelings of connecting and giving back are linked to longer, healthier lives.
Visit any Hawthorn community and you will find residents participating in projects that benefit fellow residents, as well as their local cities and towns. Residents also volunteer for charitable organizations, organize community events, coordinate fundraising efforts and much more.
Hawthorn Residents Give Back All Year Long
As we venture on a new year, here’s a look back at all the ways Hawthorn residents have shared their time helping others.
Fighting to end breast cancer
In October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, residents, family and friends at Linwood Estates in Lawrenceville, Georgia made afghans, which were put up for auction at the community. Every dollar made was donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help end breast cancer. More than $900 was donated through their efforts.
Food drive to help feed the hungry
In November, Ashwood Meadows in Johns Creek, Georgia held a canned food drive to help feed the hungry in the Atlanta Metro area. Residents and team members decided the canned food drive donations just weren’t enough, so they volunteered for three and half hours at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The group sorted through 12 barrels of food, making sure they weren’t outdated, dented, mashed up, etc. In a short amount of time, the group sorted through four pallets and 6,556 pounds of food, which equated to 5,463 meals!
Operation Christmas Child
Residents at Orchard Heights in Clermont, Florida love to make a difference outside their four walls, and this holiday season was no different. Several of the residents, Bernice and Jackie to name a couple, encouraged the community to take part in this year’s Operation Christmas Child. The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts—filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world.
Thirty residents came together and set a goal of 50 boxes and exceeded that number! 62 boxes filled with toys, games and lots of love were made and donated to children around the world.
December Give Back Contest
Hawthorn’s December Give Back Contest encourages all Hawthorn communities to share how their community gave back during the holiday season. Communities posted to Facebook their efforts and how they made a difference within their community. Here are just a few examples of how Hawthorn communities gave back.
- At Liberty Heights in Rockwall, Texas, residents and team members showed their appreciation to their local firefighters with a wreath for their firehouse. The culinary team at the community even made a delicious fajita dinner for all at the firehouse to enjoy!
- One resident at Summit Glen in Colorado Springs, Colorado is always staying busy helping others. Betty, aka Mrs. Claus, is a former nurse and a great community ambassador. She enjoys making masks for residents and families, is the leader of The Cooking Club, and is always volunteering and promoting fun things for all at Summit Glen. Betty is known for her banana bread that she is always making in the resident kitchen, and at Christmas, she makes mini loaves for every resident and team member.
- Residents at Camden Springs in Elk Grove, California have been referred to as “elves” during the holiday season. They worked hard in their workshop making stockings for the men and women at their local fire station.
Get Involved in a Hawthorn Community Near You!
Whether you choose to give in big or small ways, it’s all vitally important to your overall wellness. The possibilities are endless to make a lasting impact and touch lives in ways you may never even know.
