As President of the Altenheim Ladies Auxiliary, Kay LaGrange carries on a long history of enriching seniors’ lives. In fact, this month, she and fellow members are preparing for the kind of card party that the volunteer group hosted decades back in the senior living community’s days of yore, where it started as the German Home for the Aged of Indianapolis.
For Kay, serving this community is like reaching across time.
“My parents and grandparents are all gone, and my husband’s parents are gone, so this is my way of giving back to them,” she said.
Kay started volunteering for the Auxiliary after she retired from teaching, in the fall of 2010 — when most members were women from her church, the United Church of Christ.
Made up entirely of volunteers, the Altenheim Ladies Auxiliary aims to brighten senior residents’ lives through activities and acts of kindness. Whether providing funding, food or helping coordinate events, CarDon & Associates partners with the Auxiliary however it can.
The next event that the group is organizing is the aforementioned card party on Saturday, August 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. For $20 upfront (cash or check), attendees can participate in a Euchre tournament, play other card games in the main campus building’s solarium, enjoy refreshments and compete in a raffle — among other fun activities. This event is open to the public, but those interested in purchasing tickets early may do so through the Altenheim gift shop or by calling Judy Singleton at 317-508-5652.
Proceeds from this event will go toward taking a large group of residents to an Indianapolis Indians game in September.
“To see them up in the stands, enjoying hot dogs and watching a ball game — it just makes your heart warm,” Kay said. “They’re excited for this upcoming one, and they’ve been asking, ‘When are we going to the ball game?!’”
This event is a yearly adventure for which CarDon always provides transportation, and residents always look forward to this baseball season outing.
Throughout the year, the Auxiliary also provides birthday cards to all of the Altenheim residents, including rehabilitation patients. Each card contains a $5 gift certificate to the community’s gift shop, which is Kay’s favorite aspect of the Auxiliary.
“I love working in the gift shop,” she said. “To sit there and get to know these residents is a really special opportunity. For example, I had the chance to sit and pray with one lady who lost a family member. I hear all sorts of stories from folks who come into the shop. I hope people listen to my stories when I’m 85.”
Later this year, the Auxiliary will host its annual Fall Bazaar and its winter holiday party. In the meantime, it is always looking for more volunteers.
As Kay said, “The Auxiliary is a great way to serve people.”
