At Samaritas Senior Living we are lucky to have volunteers who are passionate in serving our residents.

In Grand Rapids, we have Linda Steenwyk. Linda has gone above and beyond. She started volunteering at Samaritas in December 2015. Linda enjoys visiting with residents and helping them in any way she can. “My favorite part of volunteering is the residents! I love hearing all of their stories and getting to see the pictures is an added bonus.” Linda volunteers because she feels that this is what God has called her to do. She just loves to help people.

In Senior Living Bloomfield Hills, we are lucky to have volunteer, Lou De Gennaro. Lou owns a thriving law firm, consults for the State of Michigan Bar Association and is Dean Emeritus at Lawrence Technological University. Lou still makes time to stop here at least three times a week after delivering his grandchild to school. Once here, he visits with some of our residents and tries to welcome all new people he encounters.  Asked why he makes time to socialize here among his many professional and personal duties; he states, “Being at Samaritas Senior Living, among the residents and also the staff, feels like being with a part of my family.”

In Senior Living Cadillac, we have a diverse team of volunteers. On Wednesdays we have the Bingo bunch which includes very special volunteers, Norma has volunteered for 15 years. She started when a friend came here for therapy, yet continues to come in every Wednesday because of the new friendships that continue to develop. Jim, whose wife was a resident here has helped for three years. He came in every day to spend time with his wife, became family with other residents and staff, realized he could offer visits to others, and continues to come in. Mary has been volunteering for six years. She comes in as a way to keep busy and give back to the community. And Florence has volunteered for 27 years! She recognizes the needs of others even through all the changes – changes with our name, changes with staff, changes with the building renovations as well as changes with the residents.

In Senior Living Saginaw, we are lucky to have Kathy Gembarowski. Kathy started volunteering two years ago when her aunt came to our community. We are lucky to have her and look forward to her continued assistance with activities.

In Senior Living Traverse City, Marcy has volunteered since 2001. Marcy’s favorite part of volunteering is spending time with the residents. They have become just like family to her. She says, “God opens a lot of doors for me to meet and spend time with people. I don’t spread gossip, or pass on what an individual tells me, so residents feel comfortable confiding in me.” She also sends out Birthday cards to members of the church and other residents that she doesn’t know.

Volunteering can be very beneficial not only to you, but to those you serve. Finding the right match for you is important. At Samaritas, we have volunteer opportunities in many of our programs areas; Senior Living, New American Services, Foster Care and more. Each sector has a range of duties you can perform.

The benefits for the people you serve are plentiful. But some of the benefits for you are that volunteering reduces stress, helps you find friends, helps you learn new skills and reaches out to help the community.

From all of us here at Samaritas Senior Living, we thank our volunteers for their selflessness. To find out more about volunteering with Samaritas, email seniors@samaritas.org.