Right Place Right Time Right Volunteer Bryant Mesick has found a common theme throughout his life: he’s been in the right place at the right time – a lot. This blessing resulted in him obtaining a high-quality education, finding his career, meeting the love of his life and moving to the best retirement community. The good fortune in his life made it easy for him to give of his time to help others through volunteering. His efforts earned him the title of Masonic Village at Dallas Volunteer of the Year. A resident since 2012, along with his wife, Nancy, Bryant has served on the Social Committee and as a driver for fellow residents with the community transportation program. He also volunteers at the local food pantry. In 1978, after moving to State College, where he represented a 403(b) plan available to Penn State University employees, he and Nancy joined a small church outside of town. It was there he realized the benefits of volunteering - for himself and others - after he assisted a member of his church. When he learned a fellow member was driving himself 160 miles round trip weekly to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville for X-rays, Bryant offered to drive him.
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Spring 2021 Issue
“In a few weeks, I got to know him and his family, and we keep in touch to this day,” Bryant said. “I wouldn’t have done this if I just said, ‘Hi,’ at church. It’s the same here at Masonic Village. We are indeed members of a community. There are many interesting people with unique backgrounds.” He was also named Volunteer of the Year in 2011 at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. He conducted tours of
the 28th Infantry Division Shrine and armored vehicles on the grounds and worked on children’s initiatives. He volunteered with the museum from the early 1990s until 2013, and he also volunteered with Rotary for 10 years. Volunteering is an extension of Bryant’s 60-year involvement with the Masonic fraternity. “I was always close to my grandfather, and I knew he was a member,” Bryant recalls. “I turned
