Happy to Help

Masonic Village at Elizabethtown has more than 750 volunteers serving across its campus from helping in gift shops to escorting residents in the Masonic Health Care Center for appointments and events to sitting with hospice patients. Our Mission of Love would not be possible without their generosity and selflessness. We look forward to welcoming all volunteers back after the pandemic.

Wearing a Smile

Amidst rows of neatly hung men’s shirts, brightly colored women’s skirts and beaded necklaces at The Boutique, you’ll also find a few friendly faces – a group of dedicated volunteers eager to help.

The Boutique is Masonic Village at Elizabethtown’s clothing and accessories store. Residents and staff donate clothes to the store, and it’s open (pre- and post-COVID-19) several hours a week for shoppers in a safe environment. Barbara Zell (shown above) has always sought to meet new people, and she has found no better way than through volunteering. Through her children’s activities, her church and now, as lead volunteer at The Boutique, volunteering has been her gateway to new relationships.

Barbara normally volunteers on Fridays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., and she also coordinates the schedules of 18 volunteers and two substitutes to work with the clothing when the seasons change. In addition to helping shoppers, the volunteers sort clothes, hang them and organize off-season stacks to be donated to local missions. While The Boutique is currently closed, shoppers can contact one of the volunteers directly and reserve a time to visit.

“We are all dedicated and friendly,” Barbara said of the volunteers. “I know all of them. We get to know a lot of the customers. There are some who come every week.”

Lillian Rothwell began volunteering in The Boutique 10 or 12 years ago, around the same time as Barbara. Her role involves more than just assisting shoppers, and she enjoys the perks of discovering new friendships.

“I’ve made some special friends who come on Wednesdays because they know I’m here,” she said. “I’m not just helping with clothing. I’m helping others feel better by listening. I enjoy knowing I’m making a difference in people’s lives.”

The Boutique also provides clothing for residents in the Masonic Health Care Center and Freemasons Personal Care building. Items sell for between $0.50 and $2, although people may pay whatever they wish to donate. All proceeds support Masonic Village’s Mission of Love.

“I have fun, I serve and I have many rewarding experiences,” Barbara said. “We help people here who are physically limited and cannot do a lot of shopping. People who downsize when moving here appreciate having somewhere to donate. It’s also a relief to people to know that we will take the clothing when someone passes away or moves to a higher level of care.”

Lillian was a teacher for 31 years and spent some evenings helping at school and with parent events. She also helped at her church with everything from luncheons to serving as a greeter. After moving to Masonic Village 15 years ago with her late husband, Tom, they both volunteered with the Employee Appreciation Fund and continued to serve as greeters at their former church.

Lillian Rothwell

After Tom’s passing, Lillian values all the friends she’s made volunteering even more.

“I’m thankful I’m here,” Lillian said. “It’s a great place. I’ve made lots of very close friends, especially since losing Tom.”

Barbara and her late husband, Dick, lived in Elizabethtown for 40 years, where they raised their two children, and Barbara worked as a laboratory technician at the Elizabethtown Hospital for Crippled Children for 20 years.

She served on committees with the Elizabeth Hughes Society, assisting with projects to raise money for the group and support the library. She and Dick spent their winters in Florida for 15 years. She volunteered to help with the annual March Sale in their neighborhood by organizing and selling donated books. For fun, she learned to play bocce.

A resident of Masonic Village since 2005, Barbara appreciates the variety of activities, both on and off campus, and of course, all the volunteer opportunities. She has in the past served on the food and activities committees, in the Sell Chapel choir, as a coordinator for bocce and as a representative for her campus neighborhood.

“It’s a theme in my life,” Barbara said of volunteering. “I’m a people person, and I like serving others.”

Having a Good Read on Others

Jane Beach has worked as a librarian since 1969. She moved to Masonic Village at Elizabethtown in 2010 and immediately sought volunteer opportunities on campus.

Jane was still working part-time as a corporate librarian, and while she initially tried serving somewhere besides a library, she soon found herself answering a familiar calling. She currently serves as the librarian for the Grand Lodge Hall Library. “Go with what you know, right?” she asked. “I truly enjoy doing what I do because I love libraries and know what benefits they bring to everyone. Seeing the Grand Lodge Hall Library grow to achieve excellence and to serve residents campus-wide means so much to me. I enjoy interacting with residents and love learning about their lives and what they’ve achieved in their lifetimes.”

It takes lots of volunteers to keep the campuses’ three libraries organized, provide readers with books – standard, large print and audio – and otherwise get to know those who visit. Volunteers weren’t allowed to serve during the early months of COVID-19, but the libraries remained open to allow for borrowing and returning. With staff assistance, volunteers were able to catch up and avoid chaos.

“I feel so very lucky to have my volunteer duties,” Jane said. “I’m doing something I love, seeing positive changes and getting to know other residents, which makes my life more complete. I don’t know what I would do without it.”

Like being a librarian, volunteering has always played a role in Jane’s life. She attended college after her children started school, so her free time was limited, but along with a friend, she volunteered at the Mount Joy Library weekly. She served on the Library Board and was on the Building Committee during the construction of the Milanof-Schock Library in Mount Joy, where she also volunteered in different capacities.

“Volunteering is a wonderful way to become part of a broader picture, get rid of the ‘it’s all about me’ mentality and keep on learning – which is good for us at this age!” Jane said. “While I hope my volunteer duties contribute positively to life on this campus, I know I’ve received more than I’ve given.”