Marlin Hershey remembers visiting his grandpa, George Sauder, at Landis Homes in the early 1970s.


“I remember he always was listening to Phillies games,” says Marlin. Those visits started a long association with Landis Homes, one that continued when his parents (J. Eby and Kathryn) moved to a cottage on Sundrop Lane and in June 2021, when Marlin and his wife, Barb, became the third generation of the Hershey family to live at Landis Homes. He is one of a growing number of third generation residents at Landis Homes.


COMMUNITY & CARE ACROSS


“ W


e chose to come here because we had seen how my grandpa and our parents were treated,” says Marlin. “Te sense


of community and caring we saw was so strong. Even though right now, we are heavily involved with activities beyond Landis Homes, we are grateful for all the activities that are available and ways we can plug in as we are able.”


One way Marlin plugged in, even before he was a resident, was to join the planning team for the Landis Adult Day Services Golf Event. An avid golfer, he had taken part in the tournament for many years and enjoyed the time with business colleagues, friends and Landis Homes residents. He stepped up to chair the event in 2020, providing excellent leadership through changes made to the event due to the pandemic. Tis annual event brings in around $50,000 per year to support ADS client scholarships.


Following his retirement from a career stretching from agricultural marketing to fundraising for local nonprofits, Marlin earned his CDL license and began driving for Manheim Township High School athletic teams. He was just beginning to drive for Elite Coach when COVID-19 hit. Marlin’s dad had been a bus driver for Landis Homes so when Elite Coach was not operating tours, Marlin decided to follow in his dad’s


20 • Landis.org | FLOURISH | Fall 2021 THREE


footsteps. He now drives the Landis Homes buses just like his dad used to do. By switching over to the position of Landis Homes driver, Marlin was able to keep driving and, more importantly, reconnect with many folks he knew from campus, as well as meet new people.


“I meet people all the time who know me from my fundraising work in the area, or who knew my parents. It is great to talk with them and hear the stories they share.” He also is driving for Landis at Home, taking persons to medical appointments. He often hears words of appreciation from family members who don’t have the ability or the equipment needed to transport their loved one easily.


“I know we are younger than most of the persons who move to Landis Homes, but we were intentional about wanting to move here while we are both very active. Just like when we lived in Manheim Township, we entertain our children and grandchildren. Te other day, one was here with his radio-controlled car. Our cottage gives us a home base, but we can just walk out the door for one of our motorcycle trips and know the place will be cared for and ready for us when we return. And we know if either of us ever needs long term nursing care or rehabilitation stays, we are at the place who will care for us best!"


CULTIVATING COMMUNITY


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