“We promise to love and care for your family as we do our own.”
You’re familiar, of course, with this, our pledge to you. However, what we’ve discovered unexpectedly, in the course of building these caring relationships, is that we have families caring for us!
Our Kensington Park community is comprised in part of team members, who execute their responsibilities each and every day in service to our promise to you. But there is another group that partners with us in this effort who you may not know of—our dedicated volunteers! Let me start by introducing you to four amazing people who routinely fulfill the Kensington Park promise. While they are a diverse group, they do share some things in common—their love of service, their love of seniors, their love of family, and they are all, family members of current or former residents. All bring joy to our residents and their families while they are here on campus and their beautiful spirits promote the kind of quality of life all of us strive to provide at Kensington Park.
First, in our Groves community, we find Alan Farrar, who arrives every Sunday morning to discuss world events with our Connections residents. He makes rounds when he arrives, greeting everyone with a smil
e and engaging residents in lively hour-long discussions of developing news. Alan looks forward each week to seeing “his residents,” and “his residents” look forward to seeing him! Alan’s wife Helen resided at Kensington Park.
Second, in our Highlands community, we find Patty Savage. She appears each Tuesday evening with her flamboyant chef’s hats and aprons to delight our residents while whipping up her special grilled sandwiches, tailored to each resident’s liking. She gets to know residents intimately, understanding their likes and dislikes, while keeping the laughs and jokes coming throughout her evening here with us. If you have a chance to speak with Patty, she will tell you “she loves HER residents.” Patty’s mom and dad are and were residents.
Third, in our Woodlands community, we find Karen Pecoraro. Karen comes to campus every Wednesday with warm, home baked cookies and a hearty spirit to serve up “spirits” to thirsty residents. Karen provides a lot of cheer to both residents and family members while acting as bartender and waitress during the Wednesday Happy Hour. And it’s ALWAYS a packed house. Can’t imagine why—”yummies and rummies” might be a clue! Karen’s mom and dad are and were residents at Kensington Park.
Fourth, in our Woodlands community, we find Sandy Mayer, who brings so much beauty into our residents’ worlds through the patient sharing of her photographic skills. Thursday evenings you will spot Sandy out and about campus with her residents and their cameras taking photos of the surrounding flora and fauna. Each year a sample of resident photos is submitted to the Montgomery County Fair and we are proud of our many ribbon winners! Sandy’s mom resided at Kensington Park.
A big thank-you goes out as well to team member and volunteer Betsy Davis, who is the founder and backbone of our wonderful photography program.
Each one of these special people loves serving others and we are very lucky to have them as part of our family. To Alan, Patty, Karen, and Sandy—thank you for the time you give to make a difference in the lives of our residents.
Warmly,
Mary Mell, Executive Director