A helping hand

MOSES LAKE — The volunteer group at Brookdale Senior Living has a lot of projects. 

"We do volunteer work outside the community,” said Helping Hands Committee member Meri McCann. “We go to different organizations and help with their projects or help when they have events. We do Kid's Hope; we've been to a couple of their events. The senior picnic, for instance – we made how many centerpieces - 92 or something?" 

The volunteer group and its activities are a way to stay involved, added Anne Richens. Volunteering also demonstrates that everyone can be part of their community and contribute to it, she said. No matter their age or circumstances.  

" You give to them, but they're giving back to you because you feel like you've done something for somebody,” Riches said. “You feel like you're giving back, you're not just taking. You know, especially when you're at a place like this because you're not doing your normal things that you would do for volunteering and stuff." 

"We do bags for the homeless during the winter,” Richens continued. “It's more about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and (non-perishable foods) and little candies and whatever else we can put in the bag.” 

Those are donated to Care Moses Lake as part of that organization's bagged lunch program.  

"So much. Fun," Richens said.  

Brookdale encourages its residents to get involved in activities, the Helping Hands Committee among them, McCann said. Helping Hands organizer Charlotte Cramer credited activities director Imelda Broyles, who plays a crucial role in all activities, both in Brookdale itself and out in the community.  

"Imelda is the best," Richens said.  

They've volunteered their time at community events, some of which focus on children.  

"It was great that we could be there and help in any little way we could," McCann said.  

Volunteering is a way for Brookdale residents to repay some of the support the community has given them, they said.  

"There's a nursery school here that kind of adopted us and would send us bags at Christmas or Easter with little candies and other little things in it that kids think we might need," McCann said. "Which is so lovely to think of little children doing something like that, and it means a lot to us. We get such a kick out of that, so we're trying to give back to the kiddies too." 

Brookdale residents worked with Grace Harvest Church on a back-to-school project, helping distribute backpacks filled with school supplies to Longview Elementary students.  

"That was so much fun. And the kids were so happy to get this stuff. That was so good," McCann said. 

It's an example of what volunteering can do for the people who do it, she said. 

"You know what we get out of it? Being around that kid energy is wonderful," McCann said. "For those that don't have grandkids and stuff that come (here), you're going out and being part of the community. Learning more about the community and partnering with the church and everything – it was really fun," McCann said.  

Brookdale residents were instrumental in the fundraising drive for the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's. 

"One of the things that we did – it was so much fun – was, one of the administrators here collected cowboy boots and brought them in, and we painted them purple, which is the Alzheimer's color, and decorated them. Then they had a silent auction and people bought all the boots. Which we thought was wonderful," McCann said.  

The volunteer group is part of the activities available to residents at Brookdale, but only one option among many. Residents held their own in-house Christmas parade, complete with floats they created, that was open to children in the community. Residents also sponsored a trick or treat walk on Halloween, and an Easter egg hunt.  

There are in-house events for residents and staff as well, from a clothing exchange residents called "Boutique Day" to a Kentucky Derby party complete with elaborate hats.  

Volunteering has provided a lot of benefits for the volunteers. 

"You're giving back to the community," McCann said. "People think you go into a home and that's the end. No. You can still give back." 

"It's the service that counts," Richens said. "It's the being of service. That adds much to your being here, that you can still be of service to people." 

    Brookdale volunteers work on decorations for the 2026 Senior Picnic.
  

    Volunteers from Brookdale Senior Living helped decorate the cowboy boots sold as fundraisers for the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's.