As an employee in the past and as a volunteer today “good will and good cheer” describe the manner in which Betty Dowd lives her life. She is an intentionally busy person and likes it that way.
Betty and husband, George, joined the Tel Hai community from West Chester more than ten years ago and enjoyed the good life here. She also has been volunteering for most of those ten years.
Betty’s journey to Tel Hai was sparked by an experience she had while working in case management at a local hospital. Seeing a family of five adult children (all working professionals) struggle to come up with a way to meet their mother’s needs made a deep impression on Betty and she became determined to set plans for her own future—and not leave it to her family or chance.
Betty tells us, “I decided that my children were not going to have to go through that experience. I wanted to choose where I was going to live!”Betty remembered hearing many good remarks from hospital staff whenever a Tel Hai resident was admitted, so she and her husband George came to have a look. After visiting Tel Hai and meeting the residents here they were convinced. Even as she faced the loss of George years later, Betty found comfort in her circle of friends as they all “rallied around me and helped me through it.”
Her first volunteer task undertaken is still a favorite today. As a Garrett Community Center front desk receptionist she continues to enjoy the visibility and opportunity to greet so many people. “I get to participate in so many conversations. I just love the work!” Betty has also driven our campus shuttle and embellishes the labels for our Ladies Luncheons with her beautiful penmanship. “My mother always wrote beautifully. I learned the Palmer method of penmanship and practiced it regularly because I wanted to have handwriting as precise as my mother’s,” Betty replied.
Betty served two terms on Resident Council, one as vice-chair. She lives out her faith serving on the Worship Committee assisting all three pastors on campus and the residents who worship in the Chapel by reading scripture or helping collect the offering. On the Trip Committee, Betty helped plan trips to places far-far away, as well as jaunts to local destinations as she initiated a trip to QVC and to the Bird-in-Hand plays.
An eager helper in marketing events and activities, Betty often registers guests or serves refreshments during the popular Day in the Country event. She adds her beautiful penmanship to the birthday cards sent to future residents, too. For all of her good will and good cheer while serving others, we thank Betty Dowd and we highlight her in our Volunteer Spotlight.
