By providing a history of the village’s founding and reading the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke, Chaplain Lynda Schupp celebrated Founder’s Day at Good Samaritan Society Lake Forest Village.
The event, which also included a reception, commemorated the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Evangelical Lutheran Samaritan Society.
“Today we celebrate a common heritage, a heritage that was passed along by the dreams and determination of Dad Hoeger, who had a unique heritage because of a heart and vision of Christian love and care,” Schupp said to a group of around 40 residents.
Incorporated on Sept. 29, 1922, Good Samaritan Society was founded by the Rev. August “Dad” Hoeger, a parish pastor from North Dakota. In the 1920s, Hoeger collected $2,000 more than his needed goal to help get donations for a young boy suffering from polio. He decided to use the extra funds to help people with disabilities, according to the Good Samaritan Society’s website.
On March 1, 1923, Hoeger opened a six-room rented house in Arthur, N.D., as a religious, charitable, nonprofit organization. Over the years, the society evolved as one of the nation’s largest providers of senior care services operating more than 240 long-term health care centers and senior living communities across the country. Two Good Samaritan communities exist in Denton — Lake Forest on Montecito Drive and Denton Village on Hinkel Drive.
After the program, residents were invited to a reception hosted by the staff, along with Schupp, and Eddie Garcia, life enrichment coordinator at Lake Forest. A group of high school students from HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere), a volunteer club from the University of North Texas’ Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science program, also helped with the reception.
Two-year resident Geri Melaas, 31-year resident Wanda Braden and 10-year residents Art and Judy Whiley said the chaplain’s address was quite moving.
“Linda always does a good job and it is different every time,” Judy Whiley said. “She is wonderful.”
Braden said since residents at Lake Forest have studied the Bible all their lives, Schupp tries to make it interesting each time.
“It will get you right here,” said Art Whiley, pointing to his heart.
Founder’s Day is celebrated at each of the society’s locations nationwide.
Virginia Langston-McDaniel, director of senior living with Good Samaritan Society Denton Village, said residents will also celebrate Founder’s Day at 10:45 a.m. Thursday at their chapel. The event is also open to the public, she said.
KARINA RAMÍREZ can be reached at 940-566-6878. Her e-mail address is kramirez@dentonrc.com .
