Each year in September, Good Samaritan Society locations across the country observe the incorporation of The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society—and the legacy of founder August "Dad" Hoeger.

During this time, our locations honor the communities and residents they serve with picnics, parties and other special celebrations.

Perhaps most exciting, however, is the coming together of volunteers to complete a community service project.

During service project days, volunteers from within the Society and local communities complete a variety of tasks to help area seniors stay safe and happy in their homes.  In recent years, volunteers have:

• Installed carbon monoxide detectors
• Built outdoor ramps to allow greater accessibility to seniors' homes
• Performed home maintenance tasks
•  Visited seniors’ homes to install simple equipment — such as grab bars, raised toilet seats and improved lighting — that will reduce the risk of falls

In the video below, Good Samaritan Society President and CEO David J. Horazdovsky and Chief Operations Officer Tom Syverson participate in Founder’s Day at Windom, Minnesota.

Melinda Larson, the Good Samaritan Foundation’s associate director of volunteers, says the organization turns its celebration outward to the community so that others can experience the Society’s motto, “In Christ’s Love, Everyone Is Someone.”

“We want people to remember that seniors matter, and that things we don’t even think about now can become difficult as we age,” says Melinda. “We’re called to share Christ’s love with everyone in our care, but we also want to offer that love with people who don’t use our services.”