The Residence at Fitz Farm resident Mary Mumper is shown making chili at the senior living community. Independent Living residents have participated in several local community charity events such as food drives, shoe drives and making chili for firefighters and first responders in York.
Independent Living residents build local ties via continuous charity initiatives
YORK, Pa. – A moment of reflection on Thanksgiving at The Residence at Fitz Farm senior living community led to Independent Living residents’ ongoing effort to help those in need.
“Some of our residents had a conversation, and one of them lamented the fact that people traditionally give a lot to charity around the Thanksgiving holiday but not as much throughout the rest of the year,” said Suzanne Thrasher, Director of Independent Living at The Residence at Fitz Farm.
“Out of this discussion, we decided to have a post-holiday food drive,” Thrasher said. “We collected food from the residents and their families for one month and gave to a local charity that one of the residents had been connected to prior to moving into Fitz Farm. We collected over 100 nonperishable items.”
The Residence at Fitz Farm’s connection to the broader York community grew stronger as the months passed and the spirit of giving gained momentum.
The senior living community’s Independent Living residents made chili for first responders. They held a canned food drive in conjunction with area churches and teamed with the Salvation Army to collect shoes for those in need.
“All of us at The Residence at Fitz Farm appreciate the generosity and commitment of our Independent Living residents,” said Brandi Rendler, Executive Operations Officer of the senior living community that opened in 2023 on property once occupied by the iconic Fitz family farm.
“Giving back to those in need is a noble cause, and our residents have answered the call in a big way,” she said.
Thrasher commended the Independent Living residents for their efforts, as well as a knack for coming up with new ways to contribute to others.
“After the initial food drive collection had ended, our residents continued to collect several boxes of food,” Thrasher explained. “One of the residents approached me and said they knew of a church that provides food services to the community. I reached out and was told the church was almost empty because of the holiday season rush. We dropped off our food at the church.”
The Independent Living residents spiced up the agenda in another good-will gesture.
“We made two pots of chili, one for fire fighters and one for EMS,” Thrasher said. “Residents made the chili in the kitchen located in our activity room. We delivered the chili to the two service houses.
“It feels great to be able to continue to give back and provide a service for those who provide a service for us,” she said.
Fitz Farm put its figurative best foot forward to help make another charity event a success.
“Our community sponsored a Salvation Army collection location for their annual shoe drive,” Thrasher said. “All the neighborhoods and families of Fitz Farm residents participated and hundreds of shoes were collected.”
With another holiday season only a few months away, Independent Living residents of The Residence at Fitz Farm continue to build a strong connection to the local community while assisting those in need.
For more information, contact Suzanne Thrasher, Director of Independent Living, The Residence at Fitz Farm, at sthrasher@integracare.com or 717.356.2870.