At MorningStar, we aim to put our love into action so that service becomes us—not only in our communities with our residents, but in the towns and cities MorningStar calls home. We see volunteerism within local nonprofits as another way to honor God through servant-leadership, another way to live out our mission and culture of Radiance.

“There are people really struggling out there, so whatever we can do to take the burden off and show them love and kindness, that’s huge,” says MorningStar of Billing’s Life Enrichment Coordinator, Bridget Whiteman. “That’s how you change the world: making people feel loved.”

While there is no shortage of worthy causes with which to align, we favor organizations whose mission is centered on the poor, the neglected and the marginalized. And whenever possible by the nature of the work, we invite MorningStar residents to join us in these acts of service by the giving of their time and talent as well.

MorningStar of Billings exemplifies doing just that. Each month, residents and team members gather together to assemble upwards of 800 sandwiches for the Salvation Army to help feed the hungry. Additionally, Billings’ team members have volunteered at the Salvation Army to assemble meal bowls and spread their reach even further.

On top of this, Billings’ residents make and sell blankets, donating the proceeds and extra blankets to a local nonprofit that helps youth in crisis. Throughout the year, they’ve also found joy in hosting a car wash to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association, knitting hats to donate to low-income families, reading to children at a daycare, collecting cans for the local Builders Club, and holding a pet parade and party on National Dog Day—donating the proceeds to a local animal shelter.

Around Christmas time, the team at Billings hosts a spirit week full of different themed days—each day collecting socks and gloves, hats and jackets, toiletries and more to be given out at homeless shelters.

When asked why giving back is so important, Whiteman replied, “Why isn’t it? It’s huge … there’s not a human alive that doesn’t feel good when they’re able to do good for other people. It’s built into us.”

Whiteman’s passion for seniors has also led her to see how important it is for them to feel a sense of purpose. “They are wonderful and contributing factors to our society and our world. It’s important to let them know that they still have a lot to give and offer.”

In every project they partake in, each resident plays an important role, Whiteman noted. They have sandwich bag openers and bag closers, those who cut fabric and those who sew. They show up with a desire to help and leave with a sense of fulfillment in what they were able to accomplish.

This spirit of giving has impacted team members and residents alike; the team at Billings feels proud to work somewhere they know is making a difference in the larger community, Whiteman said, and the happiness and health this leads to is evident.

It feels good to put your love into action—whether it’s a 99-year-old woman in her wheelchair scrubbing a car for the Alzheimer’s Association, or a cowboy gloving up to put together sandwiches for the hungry—it’s the little things that make a big difference.

MorningStar Senior Living

If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a senior living community near their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offer care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.