Friendship Village residents visit veterans at Edward Hines VA Hospital

It's become a treasured tradition. Earlier this month, residents from Friendship Village of Schaumburg visited veterans at Edward Hines VA Hospital. This is the fourth consecutive year in which they have visited and they plan on making it an annual event.

Friendship Village is a continuing care retirement community in Schaumburg. The visitors, who included 16 residents and two associates of Friendship Village, brought more than 120 handmade blankets, and 80 handmade rosaries to distribute to the veterans.

"The group of visitors split up into two groups. Half went to the dining room and sat and chatted with the veterans. The others went from room to room," said Jeannette Magdaleno, lifelong learning and volunteer coordinator for Friendship Village.

"The nurses went first into the rooms and said, 'there's a group of beautiful women wanting to visit and give you a blanket.' The men perked right up."

"Friendship Village residents always enjoy the opportunity to give back, and they do a lot of volunteering throughout the area on a regular basis. Visiting Hines is special because many of our residents are veterans themselves, so this is honoring their peers," said Magdaleno.

"People of the residents' generation have a strong admiration for those who have served in the armed services and really appreciate the service and sacrifices of these men."

Friendship Village is a leading Chicago continuing care retirement community offering a complete continuum of care, including independent living garden homes and apartment homes, as well as assisted living, memory support, skilled care, and short- and long-term rehabilitation services.

For more than 38 years, Friendship Village has been providing Chicago area seniors with exceptional retirement living options. For additional information, visit www.FriendshipVillage.org.

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