Sedgebrook Resident Gives Back
It is that time of year again to give thanks and to immerse ourselves in the spirit of giving. Like many, Sedgebrook resident Lou Sherman’s interest in helping others lasts all year long. Mr. Sherman had an acquaintance who was a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children and this sparked his enthusiasm to volunteer. But he took this interest one step further and began a journey not only to volunteer, but to become a Shriner.
That was over forty years ago.
Over the course of that time this father of two and grandfather to five has continued to volunteer at Shriners in Chicago. “They are delightful people,” he says about the staff and patients that he gets to see each Tuesday. He explains with great pride that he is there to give tours or do “whatever they need of me” and that devoting his time to Shriners is something that has been very near and dear to his heart.
Brotherhood, commitment, personal growth and dedication are the values of being a Shriner. From its inception from a group of Masons to the meeting of the first temple, or chapter, in the United States in 1872, Shriners International has worked tirelessly to help those in need. The various philanthropic efforts of its members early on led to the idea of establishing an official charity, which inspired the idea to build a network of hospitals for children.
Shriners Hospitals for Children were founded in 1922 with the mission of providing exceptional medical care to children without financial burden to their families.
Today there are twenty-two hospitals all over North America that work to provide care to children with burn and spinal cord injuries, neuromusculoskeletal conditions, and various other specialized healthcare needs. “They do great work all over the country, Mexico and Canada,” Mr. Sherman explains.
Seven years ago Lou and his wife moved from their home in Glenview to the Sedgebrook retirement community. “The location was ideal,” he says in describing why he chose it over others in the area. Sedgebrook’s Resident Life Director Cathy Swan agrees, “Sedgebrook is a wonderful place to live. It could be said that we are a community within a community, and the campus is ideally located near many shopping and dining venues.”
“We have approximately three hundred calendar events each month at Sedgebrook,” she adds. “There is something for everyone and residents are free to start their own clubs and activities. Residents living at Sedgebrook are encouraged to live their lives to the fullest!”
For Lou Sherman this meant continuing to do something he truly enjoys.
When asked his age Mr. Sherman responds, “Old enough to be living at Sedgebrook, but age is not important as long as you keep moving!” Based on his kind heart and upbeat perspective on life it is safe to say that his spirit is as young as those he serves. After all, it is always better to give than to receive.
Sedgebrook is a premier continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living and outstanding amenities. Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation is on the 92-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is owned by Senior Care Development LLC and managed by Life Care Services LLC. For additional information visit www.welometosedgebrook.com or call l 847-901-3319