Discover our inspiring interaction with Chris Ann Herron (CH), who, on her son’s 13th birthday, chose to volunteer at Brookdale Senior Assisted Living Facility. They brought homemade goodies and spent quality time with the residents, highlighting the importance of giving back to the community and showing love and appreciation to our elders.
AC: What organization or local cause did you volunteer for?
CH: I volunteered at Brookdale Senior Assisted Living Facility.
AC: Can you please provide an overview of their mission?
CH: Brookdale Senior Assisted Living is geared towards creating a community for senior citizens to live their best during their older years. They cater to seniors who still like to live independently in an apartment-style home but with the assistance of caregivers and medical professionals who can help them with their daily needs, such as dressing, bathing, housekeeping, meal preparations or even administering medication if needed. They have a branch that also caters to relationship-rich care to those with memory challenges (Alzheimer’s or dementia).
AC: Was this your first time volunteering for this organization or cause? Please elaborate.
CH: This is the first time I have reached out to the Brookdale senior living facility, and I believe it won’t be the last! Everyone my son and I met inside was kind-hearted and grateful to receive love and appreciation.
AC: Where there any requirements for this type of volunteerism?
CH: For Senior assisted living facilities, it is important to coordinate with the Director or Manager of the facility as bringing food for the Seniors would require approvals due to certain dietary restrictions. So, I must let them know what I am bringing in. But other than reaching out to the coordinator or manager, the only other requirement is your time and your genuine heart.
AC: Why did you choose to volunteer here for your Day of Giving?
CH: I decided to volunteer here on my son’s 13th birthday. Every year for any of our birthdays, we choose a local community where we can give back to celebrate another year of life. I think it’s fitting that as my son enters his teenage years and approaches adulthood, he will always remember that seniors, like his own grandparents, have weathered storms of life he has yet to experience and need as much love and attention as everyone else. This year, we chose to bless some of the seniors and staff at an assisted living facility near our house. We want to show them that they are loved by someone other than their own families.
As a baker at heart, I decided to bring several dozen home-baked goodies—sourdough bread, cookies, and banana bread. There are nurses, caregivers, and facility coordinators who work tirelessly to ensure the seniors in our community are cared for and have a safe and happy environment.
AC: Can you tell us about your volunteer experience? What did you do? Did your time volunteering meet your expectations?
CH: My son and I dropped off the goodies and we were given a tour of the facility. During this time we had an opportunity to meet some of the seniors who are living there, gave some of them hugs, and talked and laughed with them. It was one of the highlights of my son’s birthday.
AC: What would you like to share to encourage others to volunteer their time and energy locally?
CH: Giving back does not require a lot; all it requires is to carve some time through your week or month and have an open heart. There is nothing better than the feeling of making someone feel special.
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