Wendie and Greg, her husband of 55 years, moved to SaddleBrooke 22 years ago, from the snowy landscapes of Minnesota. Soon after settling in, they took up square dancing, where they met and befriended Gary and Ann Hammond. When Gary shared his vision of creating an organization of neighbors helping neighbors, Wendie and Greg knew instantly it was the perfect fit. They signed up as volunteers—and, as Wendie says, the years have flown by. “It’s amazing how Senior Village has built itself up,” she reflects.
With a background in nursing and a lifelong commitment to serving others, Wendie naturally gravitated toward volunteering at Senior Village. Back in Minnesota, she worked for Kandiyohi County as an advocate for children navigating the court system due to abuse, neglect, or difficult divorces. Her work required close collaboration with teachers and social workers to ensure each child’s needs were understood and supported.
At Senior Village, Wendie began volunteering with both the Going My Way and Helping Hands teams. She regularly drives members to appointments and partners with Greg for two-person Helping Hands tasks. Together they flip mattresses, replace hard-to-reach lightbulbs, and tackle the little jobs that make a big difference. Greg proudly calls her his “right hand” on these assignments.
When asked why she continues to volunteer after ten years, Wendie’s answer comes easily: “I really like it. I like meeting people and having one-on-one conversations with them. There are so many interesting life stories here in SaddleBrooke. Members who live alone need someone to talk to. It makes me feel good.”
One of her favorite volunteer routines is driving members to Retina Associates. “I drop them off for their appointment and usually have about an hour,” she shares with a smile. “I love doing my errands nearby. I like going to Trader Joe’s.”
Wendie and Greg raised two children and now enjoy four grandchildren. Their son, Jeff, lives in Bloomington, Indiana, and their daughter, Kim, lives in Westminster, Colorado. When she isn’t volunteering, Wendie loves playing pickleball and biking with Greg. They’ve even traded in their line dancing shoes for country two-step.
If you’re looking for the perfect fit—a way to give back, meet wonderful people, and end each day feeling good—look no further than Senior Village. Visit SeniorVillage.org to learn more about volunteering opportunities or becoming a member.
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