Tenants of the Good Shepherd Community Give Back

Phil Stavos, tenant at Shepherd Court Apartments, makes his way through the halls of the Good Shepherd campus to visit his wife Della, a few times a day.  Della lives at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home as she battles with Alzheimer's disease. 

When he's not visiting with his wife, Phil stays busy by doing volunteer work for Good Shepherd, including assisting in the dining room after breakfast at the nursing home seven days a week, helping out with fundraisers on campus for the Alzheimer's Association, and going to Good Shepherd's Becker campus a few times a month to help out.  When asked if he and Della would be interested in going to some of the local elementary schools to talk to the students about Alzheimer's disease, he was a little hesitant.  He wasn't sure what the children would think; he thought they might be a little reserved.  His reservations about the visits, however, proved otherwise.

Phil and Della visited with the third graders of Discovery School and the second graders of Westwood elementary School.  It was a way for them to share information about Alzheimer's disease and also about the services that facilities like Good Shepherd Community can provide so Phil and Della can enjoy their time together.  When asked what he enjoyed most about the visits, Phil responded, "talking with the children of course!"  Phil thought the kids would "hold back" or be reserved, but when they asked if they had any questions, Phil said they all put their hand up!  "Della enjoyed it very much, she just lights up when she sees kids," said Phil. 

"These are the kind of Service Learning projects I enjoy doing in my classroom.  Not only are we meeting the needs and expectations of the students but creating life long learners by the fun and joy these experiences bring," said Ms. Z, third grade teacher for Discovery School. 

After their visits with the third graders, the students put together a memory book for Della.  The book included things they wanted Della to remember, like the fall season and her wedding.  Each student submitted a page for the book.

"I enjoyed this Service Learning project because I've never done anything like this for others.  I liked meeting Della and Phil," said Ben, third grade student.

"I thought this project was really fun and I liked working hard on my memory because I knew I was helping someone and it is important to help others," said third grader Abby.

Jenny Zimmer, Volunteer Coordinator for the Good Shepherd Community, participates on the Service Learning Advisory Board.  The board tries to work Service Learning into the classroom; Good Shepherd Community is a community partner.  Good Shepherd Community would like to thank Discovery and Westwood Schools for their partnership and also to Oakhill Elementary for providing Thanksgiving placemats for each tenant & resident on campus.