Friendship Thrives In A Small Farm Community
For nearly a decade, Wendy Schultz has served as a passionate advocate, volunteering at the Greater Midland North Family Center and spearheading senior connection.
Schultz, a retired dietary director, first became involved with North Family Center over six years ago after volunteering with the Mills Friendly Folks. An extension of Senior Services of Midland, the Mills Friendly Folks is composed of nearly thirty seniors and provides meals, activity and connection for local fifty plus residents.
Wendy Schultz - Longtime volunteer
“So many of them [seniors] are sitting home alone,” Schultz said. “This gives them the opportunity to…challenge themselves, interact with people on a daily basis. Just staying busy. You come up with new ways to teach people to mobilize their hands better and function better.”
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Over the years, Schultz organized regular dinners, arts and crafts, seasonal activities like an ugly Christmas sweater event, and even integrated with the center’s Early Care and Education programs to provide children and seniors a chance to connect and learn.
“We’re just trying to interact and keep people active who don’t maybe have great grandchildren. They [the kids] come in and dance and do stuff for us too. It’s just a win-win situation.”
Like many of us, the Mills Friendly Folks were heavily impacted by the outbreak of the coronavirus. Group meals were put on hold, gatherings were postponed, and many seniors stayed in their homes. Amidst an already difficult year, area flooding called on the center and its community to support one another again.
“This center opened up with the Red Cross coming in, and they were lodging people, and feeding people, and providing things for people. They were taking in things that people are in dire need of that have been flooded out…and opening it to the public. This facility has showers for people, they have a laundry people can use, all for free basically. And that’s a wonderful thing to have in a small farm community," Schultz said.
For her part, Schultz has worked hard to keep that sense of camaraderie and friendship alive.
“I still outreach to my seniors and contact them. Making a lot of phone calls…keeping on top of their health. Every Christmas I always give them jam. We went to their homes, door contact only, and dropped off homemade blankets and stuff like that for Christmas. No matter what, people are finding ways to stay connected," Schultz said.
Like many, Schultz and her seniors are eager to safely return.
"I entice some of our seniors and now we’re coming and we’re walking in the gym a couple days of the week. We’re all looking very forward to coming back," Schultz said.
Kyle Tomasi, Director of Operations at North Family Center, said “It’s going to be great when they [the seniors] get back in here three days a week. We’re missing them.” Adding, “Wendy is great. She helps out with our seniors, events and is very involved. She just does so much around here and is so invested in the community.”
