Brothers Dave and Steve Daley are familiar faces at Heritage Court at Good Samaritan – Davenport in Davenport, Iowa.
They began volunteering there several years ago after their mother, Kaye Daley, was a resident.
She moved to Heritage Court in 2009 and liked playing cards with her neighbors. In 2014, Kaye’s family hosted a pancake supper for all the residents in honor of her 90th birthday and people had a great time.
Sue Geise, former senior living manager, thought it would be fun to have a pancake dinner every month.
“She asked if we’d think about doing it and, of course, Mom jumped in first and said we would,” laughs Dave.
Kaye moved shortly after that when she needed healthcare services, but her sons’ connection to Heritage Court didn’t end.
They decided to launch the monthly pancake dinner. It’s been going strong ever since.
Serving up pancakes and fun
Dave Daley flipping pancakes.
Dave leads the pancake dinner volunteer team. It’s held on the third Wednesday of the month, unless Dave is on vacation and needs to reschedule.
He runs the griddle, serving pancakes with a side of good humor. Members from St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, including Doug and Deb Rowley, help set up, serve, clean and provide piano entertainment.
Steve used to help at the pancake dinners before he had problems with his back. Other members of the Daley family help out when they’re in town.
Troy Oakes, lead cook at Heritage Court, sets out the ingredients.
“When I get here, we set up tables and then I set up my griddles. It starts at 5 p.m. and I’m usually there before 4 p.m. People usually come early. They want to chat for a while, and some ask if they can help set up,” Dave says.
When Dave makes the batter, it’s based on instinct.
“I don’t even measure,” says Dave.
At almost every dinner, Dave goes through two boxes of pancake mix. On a big night, he goes through three boxes. The team serves anywhere from 40 to 50 people.
“At one point, there was no extra seating available; people were out in the library,” Dave says.
Residents eagerly anticipate his visits, enjoying his stories and photos from his hunting adventures.
“They’re very grateful and happy that we’re there,” says Dave.
Calling Bingo, with a side of trivia
When Steve retired from pancake dinner service, he got recruited to help in another area.
He now hosts and calls one of the monthly Bingo games. Deb Rowley also volunteers at this event.
The jokes and trivia Steve weaves into the event are always a crowd favorite.
“It used to be ‘Bingo night,’ but now it’s ‘Bingo afternoon,’” says Steve. “They’re doing Bingo twice a month now. It’s a different set of volunteers for the second Bingo session.”
Around 20 residents regularly attend to socialize, laugh and have fun.
“The residents are very polite. They laugh at all my dumb jokes,” Steve says. “They’re enjoyable to be around.”
After a person gets a Bingo and picks their prize from the prize cart, Steve asks the crowd a trivia question, like how many one-eyed Jacks are in a deck of cards.
“If someone gets the trivia question right, they win a prize,” says Steve.
Steve likes having a connection to the community where his mother once lived. He has no plans to retire from his Bingo duties.
“If they’re short of volunteers for the pancake supper, I could come out of retirement for that,” Steve says.
Lynette Wall, senior living manager at Good Samaritan – Davenport, is grateful for the Daley brothers’ dedication, generosity, and continued commitment to residents.
“It’s heartwarming. There’s just no other way to put it. They’re so passionate about volunteering after all this time,” she says.
Volunteers make a difference
The Daley brothers found their niche volunteering at Heritage Court.
They’re among a large group of people who volunteer in different locations across Good Samaritan, showing the vast opportunities available for any age.
For those in the Davenport area who want to make a difference in the lives of older adults, they can sign up to help with the pancake dinners, Bingo events or a new opportunity.
“We’re thinking of starting a butterfly garden, and I need a group of volunteers for that,” says Lynette.
