In honor of National Volunteer Month, Belmont Village Senior Living, a leading developer, owner and operator of senior living communities, is recognizing the impact its communities have made in each local area through volunteer and philanthropic efforts. Residents and employees at local Belmont Village communities contribute their time and give back to causes that each community has selected, ranging from packing lunches for homeless shelters to raising money for Make-A-Wish through a sustainable fashion auction.
“Our tagline is ‘a community within a community’ which we embrace by giving back to our local communities through partnerships and volunteering,” said Patricia Will, CEO and Founder of Belmont Village Senior Living. “Residents drive these efforts based on need in their area. They do so much to give back, even forming dedicated philanthropy groups with fellow residents. We are so proud to highlight their commitment to making an impact in their communities.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 60.7 million Americans over the age of 16 formally volunteered through an organization from September 2020 to September 2021. Of total volunteer hours, the number of hours for those 65 years and older volunteered grew from 18.5% in 2002 to 28.6% in 2021. Volunteering can not only help others, but there are numerous benefits for volunteers themselves, including improving physical and mental health, providing a sense of purpose, and increasing social interaction.
In honor of National Volunteer Month, Belmont Village is highlighting the philanthropic efforts of its local communities and the many residents and employees who dedicated their time to volunteer in their local communities.
The Nashville Bracelet Project – Seniors at Belmont Village Green Hills created The Nashville Bracelet Project to raise money to support various Nashville non-profit organizations. The residents designed and created one-of-a-kind bracelets, the profits of which were donated to Isaiah 117 House, which provides a comforting home for children who have been removed from their homes or origins.
Sustainable Fashion Show – The Cardiff by the Sea (California) community hosted an unforgettable fashion show that featured eco-friendly designs created by the talented residents and staff. The amazing fashions were then sold and more than $4,400 was donated to the local chapter of Make-A-Wish.
Belmont Angels – Created in the Los Gatos (California) community with the idea of empowering residents by engaging in meaningful community outreach and giving them a sense of purpose through community service. Since its inception in January, the ‘angels’ have teamed up with “WE and Our Neighbors,” an agency in Los Gatos, to create care packages for women in shelters, collaborated with The Fish Pantry to assemble hygiene packs for the homeless as well as joined forces with the Los Gatos Police Department to make comfort pillows and teddy bears for children affected by domestic violence.
A Year of Giving Back – To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Belmont Village Lincoln Park (Chicago) kicked off a year of giving back in February. Each month, residents and employees will perform acts of kindness, including a community Yappy Hour adoption event for shelter dogs, hosting a blood drive, and making packed lunches to be donated to Saint Clements for distribution to neighborhood homeless and refugees.
25k Service Hours for 25 Years – With its 25th anniversary coming up in December, Belmont Village St. Matthews (Louisville) set out to give back through 25,000 of community service hours in 2024. It began in January by donating 125 cans of soup and 60 hours to St. Matthews Area Food Pantry and will include such volunteer activities as a park cleanup, a book donation drive to benefit Scholar House and participating in the Louisville Alzheimer’s Walk in October.
“Community service is more than just giving back; it’s a lifeline for our seniors, fostering connections, purpose, and a profound sense of belonging,” states Ted Burfict, Executive Director of Belmont Village Senior Living St. Matthews. Through volunteering, our residents not only enrich the lives of others but also find renewed purpose and camaraderie within our senior living community. Together, we’re not just serving; we’re building bonds that transcend generations, creating a tapestry of compassion and unity that uplifts us all.