The Good Samaritan Society annually recognizes its Founder’s Day as Sept. 29.

As part of the celebration, many locations perform service projects in their home communities across the country. Founder’s Day Service Projects focus on falls prevention, safety and well-being to help people live at home longer.

The focus is based on these sobering facts: More than one-third of seniors over age 65 fall each year. And falls account for 25 percent of all hospital admissions and 40 percent of all rehab/skilled care admissions.

The story of the Good Samaritan

“They are sharing so much love. I just couldn’t believe that they had chosen me as one of the families to come and help,” says Muriel Richardson, who lives in Longmont, Colorado.

Society employees and other volunteers helped make Muriel’s home a safer place to age by installing a raised toilet seat and a grab bar by the shower, as well as putting up shelves in the garage to make it safer to get her car in and out.

The video below shows the impact this service project has made in Muriel’s life.

“Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, and that’s what we’re doing and that’s what we’re about as a company,” says Fred Pitzl, administrator at Good Samaritan Society – Fort Collins Village in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Serving those in need

Founder’s Day Service Projects serve people who are vulnerable because of age and sometimes disability. The service projects are varied and depend on the needs of each individual. Service projects may include installing:

• grab bars
• elevated toilet seats
• ramps
• stair railings
• carbon monoxide detectors with 10-year batteries
• smoke alarms with 10-year batteries
• safety tub rails

The video below shows how volunteers helped Fort Collins resident Pattie Glass to age safely in her home.

“It brings joy to me to see that we’re here to help Pattie be comfortable in her home and safe at the same time. And that’s what the Good Samaritan Society is about – to help people,” says Reuben Jackson, rehabilitation director at Good Samaritan Society – Fort Collins Village in Colorado.

Sharing God’s love

The goal of the Founder’s Day Service Projects is to serve more seniors with the Society’s mission and to involve more volunteers in our work.

The video below highlights service projects in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Volunteers and employees have wonderful experiences serving seniors through the Founder’s Day Service Projects. Most importantly, they are making what may be a life-altering difference for the people they serve.