Pictured Above: (from right to left) Sylvia Broam, Rich Barbour, and Tina Snyder
2023 Mildred Bender Award Recipients
Every year, the Mildred Bender Award recognizes a resident, volunteer and employee who best exemplify the ministry, mission, and core values of MMC. A life-long member of the Moravian Church, Mrs. Bender spent her final years as a resident of Moravian Manor Communities, where her comfort and concern for others left a lasting impression. A memorial fund was set up in an effort to perpetuate the cherished values she held so dear. Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Rich Barbour (Resident)
Rich is a servant leader, always thinking of others and inspiring them to live their best life, wherever they are on that journey. He listens well and provides empathy, awareness, foresight, stewardship, and a commitment to the growth of people and building community.
Rich and Steph Barbour moved to a Warwick Woodlands Carriage Home in September 2017. True to Rich’s style, fully understanding the value of our ministry, he jumped right in to offer an empathetic “resident perspective” to help others who had not yet made the decision to move to a Life Plan Community. He worked with Nicky Michael, MMC’s Director of Sales and Marketing, as a co-presenter at lunch and learn sessions with prospective residents.
Over the years, Rich has been very involved in formalizing a group known as “Exploring the Arts,” which includes a variety of creative activities, from music to theater and film. He realizes there is ongoing research suggesting that creativity may be the key to healthy aging. His mission for all has been active engagement, learning, and participation with complete inclusivity. He also shares his gifts and talents by bringing the joy of the arts to our Personal Care and Skilled Care residents, always making them feel special. Music brings healing, music brings joy!
Rich exemplifies our mission by working with our entire community to provide opportunities and services that enrich each resident’s aging journey along the entire continuum of services.
Tina Snyder (Employee)
Tina began her employment at Moravian Manor Communities in March 2009 as a housekeeping aide. She is a dedicated wife, mother of two and “mimi” to three grandchildren. Her children’s interest in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) turned a city girl into a Farm Show, animal-loving advocate.
It was evident the day Tina walked through the doors of MMC that she was an enthusiastic, caring person. She truly found her niche when she became the primary housekeeper in the Baer Center for Assisted Living. During her nine years as housekeeping aide, she built strong relationships with residents, their families, and co-workers.
In 2018, Tina’s hard work, team spirit and compassion for her job earned her the current position that she holds as Housekeeping Supervisor. Her co-workers describe her as being strong, helpful, enthusiastic, empathetic, and a great supervisor. All characteristics that Mildred Bender would agree make Tina a worthy recipient of this award.
Sylvia Broam (Volunteer)
Sylvia started volunteering at MMC in May 2022, and has become an important part of our Health Center team. She is a retired mail carrier out of the Lititz Post office and was interested in helping deliver the mail for the care areas. This act of kindness blossomed into many other ways that she seeks to make a difference in the lives of Health Center residents. It is not uncommon to see her having lunch with some residents in the café or outside visiting during warmer months. She helps with Bingo every Tuesday and will often sit with the residents afterward and chat. She assists with mail delivery each week, offers different types of in-room visits, and is always willing to lend a hand with whatever is needed. Recently, she joined our Red Hat Society that meets monthly.
Sylvia embodies our Mission of “person-centered care” and “enriching the journey of aging” for residents.
Celebrating Recent Retirement Milestones
The spirit of our team is what makes Moravian Manor Communities such an exceptional place. We are so fortunate and blessed to have team members find fulfilling careers with us for 15, 20 and even 30+ years. To our recent and upcoming retirees, we thank you for your dedication to our mission and wish you all best in your retirement!
Donna Gerofsky
December 2022
(16 years of service)
Sue Dussinger
March 2023
(17 years of service)
Patti Shelley
June 2023
(46 years of service)
Melissa Hevener
June 2023
(43 years of service)