Madeleine Byrne is the Director of Community Life and Volunteer Coordinator at Artman Senior Living Community in Ambler, PA. As such, she inspires residents, team members and volunteers-even her own intergenerational family members-to get involved in the special events and programs that Artman offers.

“Having family members’ volunteer support alongside other volunteers enables us to create the many diverse programs that we offer. Without their involvement, contributions, and caring, we wouldn’t be able to offer the events that we do to enrich the residents’ lives.”

In some workplaces, employees bring their children to work. This fall, Madeleine recruited Artman team members, residents’ family members, and her own Mother, Deborah Clark, and Grandmother, Barbara Brickner, to help make “Artman Proms from the Past” a memorable event for Artman residents. “My grandmother was busy making boutonnieres and corsages so that everyone had flowers to wear when having photos taken in the Photo Booth,” explains Madeleine.

She adds, “My Mom and Grandma have both been scouring Thrift Shops, shopping for dressy clothes that can can be easily put on by Prom goers. Everyone enjoys getting dressed up, having their pictures taken and sharing good times. The Prom brings back happy memories from the past while creating new experiences for the residents.”

“I enjoy listening to residents…taking their feedback to create events….”

Barbara and Deborah came down from New York the day of the event to help. When asked why they volunteer, Deborah says, “We have always been a family that loves helping others and caring for our community. We like making people happy, and Madeleine has found her perfect calling here at Artman to do just that.”

When asked how she comes up with interesting events and programs to engage residents, Madeleine explains, “I enjoy listening to residents’ suggestions, taking in their feedback to create events out of the shared ideas. We really want to help residents make the most of every day and have a lot fun in the process.”

Madeleine adds, “For example, our volunteer DJ, Anthony Vennara, whose mother lived at Artman, keeps the music lively not only at the Prom but at the Annual Tie-Dye event that takes place in the summer. For that event, teams are busy for weeks washing and dying T-shirts so that all residents have a new shirt to wear for the event.”

“At these and other programs, Artman team members and volunteers help with preparations, decorating and assisting residents, and they also participate by attending the event, which makes it even more festive for residents to see team members dressed up, wearing Tie-Dye, Prom, or Halloween attire. At Halloween, the team decorates the building behind Artman Home as a Haunted House, which makes everyone smile as soon as they enter,” reports Madeleine.”

“…it’s who we are…”

Another important event for which Madeleine’s energy is integral to volunteer recruitment is the Annual Golf Outing that benefits Artman, which enables residents to remain in their Artman home even if their funds are depleted. “As I have said often in the past, “This is not what we do; it’s who we are-and our team members embody that. We’re all motivated to help every Artman resident live his or her best life.”

When asked how she comes up with interesting events and programs to engage residents, Madeleine explains, “I enjoy listening to residents’ suggestions, taking in their feedback, and then making a creative event out of the shared ideas. We really want to help residents make the most of every day and have a lot fun in the process.”

Ready to learn more? Visit the Artman website today.