Written by Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling
In honor of National Volunteer Week, we share this delightful highlight of Garden Spot Village Volunteers Babs Shaefer and Jan Chace.
Barbara (Babs) Shaefer and Janice (Jan) Chace bring joy and laughter wherever they go. A visit with the two ladies is not complete until you are wiping tears of laughter from your eyes. And just as quick, wiping tears of tender emotion from their heartfelt compassion for those around them.
They were introduced to Garden Spot Village through their mutual friend, EJ Rittersbach, a Garden Spot Village resident since 2008.
“I’ve known EJ for over 50 years,” says Jan. “When EJ first moved to Garden Spot Village, I stopped by for a visit on my way to New England. When I left, I thought, ‘I don’t want to live there. It’s like a cruise ship. I don’t want any part of it.’ But here I am. After reconnecting with many longtime friends (many from Delaware County Christian School) and getting to know the community better, I’m looking forward to moving to Garden Spot. This is a special place.”
Elementary educators by trade, Babs and Jan met at Delaware County Christian School (DCCS). Jan was the incoming principal when Babs was hired as a 4th grade teacher. The colleagues quickly became friends; when their careers took them different directions after working for six years together at DCCS, they continued their friendship.
Babs finished her 35-year educational career in public school in Florida. Jan, in contrast, started her educational career in public school in Massachusetts and finished her 39-year career in Christian education in Pennsylvania.
They both settled in Lancaster County in retirement. When Babs and Jan decided to move to a continuing care retirement community, they were encouraged to consider Garden Spot Village by their friends.
Babs says, and Jan agrees, “When I learned about the Garden Spot Village mission—that it was inspired by the life of Jesus and how he served and how he loved, I thought yes! That aligns exactly with my beliefs about how we should live our lives. In Galatians 6:10 it says ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all.’ Garden Spot’s philosophy fits with what I believe scripture tells us to do. We should look for people to serve—not to gain favor, but as gratefulness for what Jesus did for us.”
Babs and Jan made a deposit and joined the Radar Screen in January 2022. They moved to a Village Square apartment earlier this month.
While they waited for their move, Babs and Jan connected with their new community and pursued their passion for service through volunteering at Garden Spot Village. Jan was pleased to find meaningful ways to contribute despite her limited eyesight due to macular degeneration.
“We heard that Meadow View, Garden Spot’s memory care community, was looking for volunteers, so we reached out,” says Babs. “We both walked a dementia journey with family members and felt like this was a way we could give back. We help with special events; the staff sends us a list of dates when they need assistance, and we help as often as we can.”
“But when we walk into Meadow View, we have no idea what we are going to be doing,” Jan adds with a laugh. “It’s fun. It’s such a blessing to be at Meadow View. We help with ice cream parties, summer boardwalk activities, crafts and quiet conversations with a cup of coffee. However, every time there is a party, we are in!”
“We try to make the experience fun,” Babs adds. “That’s the point—creating moments of joy in the middle of whatever we are doing. I think our teaching experiences help as well because we understand the need for extra hands and keeping the environment upbeat.”
Babs continues, “It’s important to remember that everyone has a story—Meadow View is home to teachers, businessmen, grandmas—everyone has a story and it is a joy to get to know them. We realize we are there during the best 60 to 90 minutes of the day. If we can bring joy during that time, it’s good. For all of us.”
Jan adds, “We are blessed beyond measure to serve the Meadow View staff as well; they work tirelessly to support people who are living with a very challenging diagnosis.”
Babs and Jan look forward to additional volunteer assignments as they connect more deeply with their new neighbors.
“There’s a myriad of opportunities to volunteer at Garden Spot Village,” Babs says. “I’ll hear of something and think, I would like to do that. For example, taking books from the library to the skilled nursing households would be meaningful to me.”
Babs and Jan appeared on the Purpose in Retirement Podcast. You can listen to their story here.
Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling for Garden Spot Communities, brings a wealth of marketing and storytelling experience. She is the managing editor for Destination Magazine as well as the co-host for Garden Spot’s Purpose in Retirement Podcast.