A group of BB&T associates had plans to plant flowers and hang photos in the halls of Senior Services in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. But things didn't go as planned.
In this case, that was a good thing.
"Even though it's unexpected, we worked on this very smoothly, no hesitation, and everybody was happy to do that," Alena Qin, the team leader, said.
The group arrived at the organization's building around 8:30 a.m. and immediately started their outside beautification project. Rain was in the forecast, and they wanted to complete the project before the downpour began. Within an hour, they had filled 90 pots and were ready to move on to hanging photos.
But Qin realized they were going to quickly finish all the work they had planned. The BB&T Lighthouse Project encourages associates to serve their communities by giving them eight hours to volunteer. With nearly seven hours left to go, Qin started looking for more projects the team could complete.
The team's swiftness coincided perfectly with a need for volunteers for Meals on Wheels, one of the organization's projects. A volunteer team had canceled at the last minute, leaving the program without enough volunteers to deliver meals that day. Although they hadn't planned to directly help the organization's beneficiaries, the BB&T team stepped up.
A program to help seniors live with dignity
Senior Services' Meals on Wheels program serves about 1,200 meals every day. The organization started as simply delivering meals to people who couldn't easily leave their houses, but it now includes six other programs that range from an adult day care center to home care.
"All of this is to help older adults in Forsyth County remain in their homes as long as possible – living with dignity, aging with purpose," said Joel McIver, director of community and engagement at Senior Services.
A rewarding experience
As they drove around the city delivering meals, the team had the opportunity to meet and talk with seniors who directly benefit from Senior Services. The experience was unexpected but rewarding.
"You feel such a joy and happiness…when you see the smile of the seniors," Qin said.
As the seniors hugged the volunteers and chatted with them, their gratitude was obvious.
"For a lot of those folks who are living alone, our volunteers may be the only human interaction they have in a given day," said Lee Covington, president and CEO of Senior Services.
Adding warmth to the organization
When the team finished delivering meals, they returned to Senior Services and finished their final project – hanging photos of beneficiaries around the building.
"The buzz around the building was already tangible," Covington said. "Seeing the faces on the wall, to me, has brought warmth to this space that just didn't exist before."
Covington said the organization wanted to have portraits of the seniors for a long time, but he couldn't justify taking money from programs that directly impact seniors to complete the project. When BB&T provided the funds, he knew it would be a perfect reminder to staff and volunteers of who they're serving each day.
"I hope BB&T realizes how important this Lighthouse program is, not just to Senior Services but to this community," McIver said. "I can't tell you how excited and thrilled I've been all day."
Learn more about the BB&T Lighthouse Project.