Sometimes being a champion has nothing to do with a title, an award or a grand gesture. Sometimes it is simply noticing what someone needs and finding a way to help. At Village Shalom, those moments happen every day.

One recent example came from John Gilbert, Village Shalom’s Volunteer Coordinator, whose connection to the community goes back nearly three decades.

John first volunteered at Shalom Geriatric Center from 1998–2000 as an assistant art therapist. Years later, he returned as an employee, serving Village Shalom in several roles before retiring in 2025.

But retirement didn’t last long. John returned in 2026 as Village Shalom’s Volunteer Coordinator, bringing with him the same long-standing compassion and willingness to help.

Recently, that meant finding a way to bring comfort to a resident named Sonja.

When Sonja was hospitalized, John knew how much she missed the companionship of her cat. It was something that weighed on him, and he began looking for a way to help.

Through Mo-Kan Pet Partners, John arranged a special visit with Hazel, a therapy cat, and her handler, Julie. For Sonja, spending time with Hazel provided some much-needed comfort and joy during a difficult time.

For John , it was simply something he felt called to do.

“I just couldn’t sleep until I found something to help Sonja,” he said.

That is what an everyday champion looks like.

The people behind Village Shalom

Throughout this summer, Village Shalom has been celebrating the people who make a difference in the lives of our residents through our Summer of Champions.

They are nurses and CNAs, dining team members, housekeepers, maintenance staff, therapists, receptionists, activity professionals, administrative staff and many others.

Their responsibilities may be different, but each has an opportunity to make someone’s day a little better.

Sometimes that means providing exceptional care. Other times, it is knowing a resident’s favorite meal, taking an extra few minutes to listen, sharing a laugh, solving a problem or recognizing when someone simply needs a little extra kindness.

Those moments may seem small at the time.

To residents and their families, they have memories that last and are shared through the years.

Who do you remember?

That is why, as part of this year’s Employee Appreciation Fund, Village Shalom is asking a simple question: “Who’s your ‘Everyday Champion?’”

You don’t have to live at Village Shalom today or currently have a loved one in our care to have an answer.

Perhaps your mother or father lived at Village Shalom years ago, and there was a caregiver who always made them smile. Maybe there was a nurse who helped your family through a difficult time, a dining team member who knew exactly how your loved one liked their coffee, or a receptionist who greeted them by name every morning.

If there is someone that made an impact, we would love to hear about them.

Tell us their name and, if you’d like, share a few words about what made that person a champion for you or your family.

John’s story is one example. We know there are many more.

A chance to say thank you

The Village Shalom Employee Appreciation Fund provides another way for residents, families and friends to recognize the people behind the care.

Each year, contributions to the fund are pooled and distributed as year-end appreciation gifts to eligible Village Shalom employees. It is a meaningful way for our community to collectively say thank you to the people who give so much of themselves throughout the year.

But recognizing an “Everyday Champion” doesn’t require making a gift.

Sometimes simply sharing a name and telling a story is a powerful way to let someone know that what they did mattered — and that it is still remembered.

Who’s your “Everyday Champion?”

Visit villageshalom.org/donate/employee-appreciation-fund to share your “Everyday Champion” story, learn more about the Employee Appreciation Fund or make a gift in appreciation of the people who make Village Shalom such a special community.