When residents at The Village at Rancho Solano in Fairfield, CA, made gift bags for Solano County Animal Care Services, one resident brought her dog along. Her previous dog had passed shortly after her husband, and she had lost her home and belongings in the Camp Fire. She told the team the dog helped save her life, and now they both volunteer to help others.
This is just one of 41 Helping Hands projects that the residents and team members of Pegasus communities completed in 2026, all before October. Helping Hands is the senior volunteering program led by the Pegasus engagement team. Each community chooses a local cause to provide ways seniors can give back, and today we’re celebrating what these amazing volunteers have achieved.
Thanking the Ones Who Give Back
Senior volunteering at Pegasus Senior Living communities often starts with a local need to fill.
Helping Local Responders
At Pegasus Landing of Chisholm Trail in Keene, TX, residents shopped for cooling towels, mini fans, sunscreen, and hydration supplies, then delivered seven cooling kits and fresh summer fruit to the Keene Fire Department.
“They are so fast to come and help us; it’s the least we can do to let them know we appreciate them,” said Shirley H.
Giving Back to Schools
At The Oaks at Inglewood in Stockton, CA, residents ran a back-to-school drive for Maxine Hong Kingston Elementary to thank Libby, a school employee who volunteers at the community with her three daughters every other Sunday.
Residents Share Connections
In Houston, TX, Rhonda D. joined Pegasus Preserve of Memorial City in visiting Firehouse 49, bringing tacos, pastries, water, and orange juice prepared by the community’s dining team.
Behind these acts of kindness, senior living residents often connect to the causes they serve. Rhonda’s late husband was a firefighter, and she had not set foot in a fire station since he passed. Afterward, she told the team the visit was a relief.
Memory Care Residents Lend a Hand
At Pegasus Landing of Long Meadow in Richmond, TX, 15 residents in Connections, the Pegasus memory care program, packed 20 appreciation bags for the community’s volunteers. Each contained seed packets, biodegradable pots, flashlights, hand lotion, and a thank-you note.
Memory care in Pegasus Senior Living communities is based on the principles of Connect, Move, and Learn, which help residents connect with others and stay active in their communities.
“I love that we are doing this for people who love us for free,” one resident said. One volunteer said, “I love coming here to volunteer, and it helps me, just as much as it helps you.”
Returning to Lifelong Callings
For some residents, senior living volunteer programs reconnect them with work they did decades ago, allowing them to use their skills to help others.
At Sun City West Assisted Living in Sun City West, AZ, 25 residents taped encouraging messages onto 80 water bottles for Cloud Covered Streets, which brings showers and laundry to unhoused people in Phoenix. One resident, a former social worker, used to work with unhoused people. Through a tearful smile, she shared that this project took her back to that time.
For others, volunteer projects for seniors are about reconnecting with their past to help others who are still in need.
Pegasus Preserve of First Colony in Sugar Land, TX, partnered with Samaritan’s Purse to fill 50 shoeboxes with small gifts for children. One resident once lived in a Nicaraguan community that received those boxes, going through each one to make sure the items were suitable.
Ways Seniors Can Give Back to Children and Neighbors
At Dunwoody Place near Atlanta, GA, 10 residents donated crocheted hats, blankets, and lap blankets to the local Ronald McDonald House. “This project really helped me feel as if I’m needed,” one resident said.
At Laketown Village in Kenner, LA, residents provided 200 box fans to older adults in need during the summer heat.
One resident remarked, “It feels good to know that we are helping someone stay cool and comfortable, especially during these hot summer days.”
Benefits of Volunteering for Older Adults
A study from The University of Texas at Austin showed that regular volunteering can help seniors slow cognitive decline by 15% to 20%. Everyday acts of support and kindness play a key role in helping residents of Pegasus Senior Living communities connect, stay active, and find fulfillment.
This article should not replace medical advice. Talk with your doctor regarding any issues you may experience, especially if you suspect memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s.
About Pegasus Senior Living
Pegasus Senior Living celebrates and enhances all lives with kindness and integrity. Communities across the country offer independent living, assisted living, personal care, and memory care, including Connections, the signature Pegasus memory care program built on the ideas of Connect, Move, and Learn. Pegasus is certified as a Great Place to Work and has earned U.S. News awards in memory care, assisted living, and independent living. Its values of passion, caring, accountability, teamwork, and financial stewardship guide life in every community.
To learn more or schedule a tour at a community near you, contact us today.
For media inquiries, contact Blair Burney at pr@craftandcommunicate.com.