The First Step
On Oct. 1, 2007, I embarked on a new journey. That was my first day with Erickson Living as a public affairs manager.
Nearly six and a half years later, I’ve been able to meet some of the most interesting people I could ever imagine: the residents who live at our 17 communities across the country.
From Dallas to Baltimore…and notably in Silver Spring…the opportunity to interact with them strikes me as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
They have held front row seats to some of the most compelling events in our nation’s history. Consider that I’ve been able to interview a resident in Houston who was riding in President Kennedy’s motorcade eighth car) through Dealey Plaza during that fateful day Nov. 22, 1963.
Last August, I spent time with a group of residents at Riderwood who attended Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial, considered by many as the defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement, August 28, 1963.
But it’s not all about the past. Many of these residents are making their own history now.
I’ve become good friends with a resident in Baltimore who started running when he was 45 to “get in shape.” 42 years later, he still participates in the half-marathon event at the Baltimore Running Festival each October.
Residents from Riderwood actively support the Montgomery Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. From doing mailings to working at the on-site projects, each volunteer makes a valuable contribution to a wonderful organization that helps people in our area.
I thank Montgomery Community Media for the opportunity to keep you posted about our residents at Riderwood and trends in senior living.
It’s all about the people, and from the Greatest Generation to the Baby Boomers, I hope to introduce you to some compelling individuals in “The Journey On…”
…like Riderwood’s Levern Allen. She helped coordinate the first-ever African-American Quilt show held at our community Feb. 11. Eighteen quilts were on display in this collaborative effort of the Quilt Club and African-American History Club.
Ms. Allen put her heart and soul into the show, and you can learn more about it here via a news report by Valerie Bonk.
Great story!