At the Heart of It All: Caring with service and community

Some years ago, I began taking classes towards my master’s degree. A running theme in

each class, no matter the class: health law or organizational behavior, was Service to

Others. The more I began to realize what was behind the meaning they were teaching, I was like a second grader in the front row of the classroom, “I know, I know!”

For some years I worked for an organization who did exactly that: they put their

employees first. They made sure their employees had the tools, education and training

needed to be successful. Equally as important, and what made this group a family and

not just employees in the “work” place, was the tone set and support given, ultimately by

the director, but then spread, and on a continuum, by every team member there.

The organization and team members brought in and made breakfast and lunches for one

another regularly, praying, eating and visiting about life and happy and sad

times. They valued family life, making sure no one missed important life events,

including (grand)children’s events and appointments. Personal interests never went

unnoticed; and in fact, from time-to-time, team members would walk in to find a note or

a card and small gift or token of appreciation to match those interests. And just like a

family, someone was always willing to help-out or lend an ear—professionally or

personally.

The organization, a not-for-profit, never asked, advertised or held large events for

donations; yet month after month, they seemed to come in. The director would always

say, “I guess it’s just a God Thing,” her way of being able to explain the many programs

she ran from the organization, giving to the community—it seemed like a revolving

door—it always found its way back to our organization, many times in tenfold.

It was the same way with volunteers. Somehow, people just appeared, wanting to be a

part of the organization, each one finding his or her niche, including making meals for

patients and families during their toughest times. Making and donating blankets or

donating yarn or other material. Volunteering in the office. Counselors, helping patients

and families. Chaplains, volunteering their services. The list is endless.

So, what does all of this have to do with service to others? Quite honestly, everything.

Working for this organization didn’t feel like work; in fact, it was a joy. I felt appreciated

for what I did; I always felt supported, trusted.

The line between “work” and “play” no longer existed; I was living life. I never minded

doing things on a Saturday. It was no longer about punching the clock, versus “my”

weekends. I had become embedded in my community. People were important to me.

Suddenly, I was the volunteer, making meals, pies, cookies, buying gift cards and

dropping them off to families, churches, nursing homes. I was sitting and lending an

ear, not because I had to, not because it was part of my job or I expected any return. I

did it because, slowly and without warning, it became part of the pattern of who I was: I

wanted to give: Service to Others.

There are other companies, large and small, who practice Service to Others. One of the

most successful U.S. airlines, known for being a company with a heart, puts their

employees first and rewards them for community service.

There is no small deed in the act of volunteering or providing service to others, and it

comes with a certainty, there will be a rippling effect. According to the Mayo Clinic

(mayoclinichealthsystem.org), volunteering can decrease depression, teach skills, keep

people physically fit and their minds active, reduce stress, help longevity and help

people develop relationships.

The director never called it service to others; she trained and treated us well, and then,

turned us loose in the community. We were happy people; we were servants to our

community.

Gina Paradiso Cathcart is the director of CareCorner In-Home Care. It is Women-Owned and Operated. She is a healthcare educator and passionate about service to others and quality of life issues. She can be reached at ginaparadiso@carecorner.org

https://www.chieftain.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2026/05/23/cathcart-at-the-heart-of-it-all-caring-with-service-and-community/90167077007/