Kindness Rules

Senior Giving

By Cutright Elizabeth on Jul 11, 2017 in People

To mark two decades in the senior care industry, Benchmark Senior Living recently embarked on a seven state mission to spread kindness and neighborly love in towns and neighborhoods where the company’s 54 senior living communities are located. For the month of June, residents living near a Benchmark community discovered care packages on their doorstep along with small helpful acts like a newspaper moved closer to their front porch, all with a note commemorating Benchmark’s “Radiant Acts of Kindness.” Employees committed to 1,000 such acts throughout the month.

“This is Benchmark’s 20th anniversary year, and we want to give back to the communities and families that have supported our company’s growth since 1997,” Tom Grape, the company’s founder, and CEO said in a statement. “So, every one of our 54 senior living communities across seven Northeast states — and our home office in Waltham, Mass., — has committed to performing at least 20 Radiant Acts of Kindness during June in their local neighborhoods and towns.”

Located in Waltham, Mass., Benchmark Senior Living operates 54 senior living communities throughout the Northeast. They offer services ranging from independent living to skilled nursing and memory care. For the last nine years, Benchmark has been recognized by The Boston Globe as one of the “Top 100 Places to Work,” and many of Benchmark’s executive directors and staff embraced the June initiative.

Every one of Benchmark’s communities committed to the 1000 Acts, with many taking a creative approach that went beyond gift baskets to include washing cars, providing free tennis balls to neighborhood dogs to handing out random gift certificates.

“We can’t wait to share these compassionate acts with West Chester and surrounding areas,” commented Doug Buttner, executive director, Wellington at Hershey’s Mill. “Our employees already have surprises prepared for the great folks at East Goshen Fire Department and local senior centers and planned intergenerational activities with local daycares. We love our neighbors and this community, and it’s an honor to be able to give back while surprising a few people along the way.”

“If you live near one of these communities, keep an eye out for these thoughtful acts,” he added. “You never know when you’ll open your door to a pot of flowers with a card from your friends at Wellington at Hershey’s Mill.”

Carol Green, executive director of Orchard Valley of Wilbraham, told HCN News associates at her community were also excited to participate. “They have ideas for buying coffee, giving away gift cards to our neighbors, visiting the senior center with goodies, and many more ‘radiant’ ideas,” she noted. “We love our neighbors and this community, and can’t wait to give back and surprise a few people along the way.”

As for why the company chose to focus on “radiant” versus “random” acts of kindness, Benchmark CEO explained.

“Our Benchmark mission is to ‘Elevate Human Connection. Connecting with people and putting them at the center of everything we do is what has set us apart for 20 years. Our 1,000 acts won’t be random. They will be conscientious efforts to radiate kindness and make people feel good. They may even help restore belief in the goodness of those around them.”