Annual Fall Social Luncheon with Realtors Who Care
Realtors Who Care and Neighbors Who Care (NWC) teamed up again for the annual Fall Client Social Luncheon held at First Baptist Church Sun Lakes in late October. Nearly 50 clients who find it difficult to gather with others because of transportation issues were treated to a delicious RigaTony’s lunch of baked pasta, spaghetti, salad, and Italian bread.
DJ Jamal was on hand to play seasonal and dance music, and the group enjoyed some Music Bingo, too.
More than 30 realtors from various brokerages and companies, as well as title officers and mortgage lenders, pool their contributions each year to serve three luncheons to NWC clients aging in place. The group also provides transportation to the events, and in December, 50 homebound guests are treated to a catered holiday luncheon held at Palo Verde Country Club with music, gifts, food, and treats. Each year, many of the clients express their appreciation for the celebration as the only holiday event they get to attend.
When the Holidays Don’t Feel So Joyful: Understanding & Preventing the Holiday Blues
Did you know that holiday blues are real? Even in a season full of lights and cheer, many people—especially homebound seniors—struggle with feelings of loneliness and stress.
The holiday blues are feelings of sadness, loneliness, or anxiety that can arise during the holiday season. The holidays can highlight isolation, health challenges, or the pressure to keep up with expectations. For homebound seniors, these factors can make the season feel overwhelming rather than festive.
Here are 5 ways homebound seniors can help prevent the holiday blues:
1. Stay Connected: Chat with friends regularly to maintain social connection.
2. Create a Holiday Routine: Embrace the holiday spirit with small traditions like decorating your home, playing festive music, or enjoying seasonal treats.
3. Engage in Enjoyable Activities: Try holiday crafts, baking, or reading seasonal stories to lift your spirits, spark joy, and add purpose to each day.
4. Practice Self-Care: Eat well, stay hydrated, sit in the sun or go for a walk if possible. These simple habits can boost energy, improve mood, reduce stress, and make it easier to enjoy daily activities, especially during the holiday season.
5. Reach Out for Support: Staying connected is key, and social interaction helps lift mood and reduce feelings of isolation.
Neighbors Who Care offers practical support and companionship throughout the holiday season.
How You Can Help as a Volunteer
Help brighten someone’s day and bring warmth to their lives:
• Visit a Neighbor: A friendly visit, a cup of tea, or just some time to chat can make someone feel seen, heard, and valued.
• Give a Caregiver a Break: Offering a few hours of relief can provide them much-needed rest and peace of mind.
• Deliver a Meal: A warm meal delivered with a smile can brighten both the day and the season for someone who may otherwise be alone.
Being a neighbor who cares doesn’t require grand gestures—just a little time, attention, and kindness. This holiday season, let’s come together to bring comfort, joy, and connection to those who need it most, ensuring no one feels forgotten.
Neighbors Who Care Board of Directors (left to right): Kim Kubsch, Executive Director Sheryl Keeme, Kirk Deem, Mike Amato, Ken Owens, Sandi Spence, Suzie Judge, Ellen Anthony
NWC Reflect on 2025
Sheryl Keeme
In 2025 volunteers, clients, staff, partners, and the board of directors at Neighbors Who Care saw meaningful changes and growth.
January
Aging Made Easier, Neighbors Who Care’s annual free aging conference, explored fun with speakers and break-out sessions about travel, gardening, dance, and improv. More than 275 guests attended.
February
Improvements to our dinner program were well underway by February as staff continually sought to improve and grow our program. Ideas continue to offer appropriate, delicious food to our clients, prepared by our vendor Friendly Neighbor Meals.
March
Play It Forward, the pickleball, tennis, golf, and more fundraiser, established with enthusiasts from IronOaks and beyond, celebrated its highest ever total of $58,000 raised to support Neighbors Who Care’s Aging in Place volunteer programming. It was an exciting event, complete with Phoenix news coverage!
April
Sheryl Keeme received an invitation to speak at the Democratic Club and at several others in our service area, too. These opportunities help make the community aware of the services we offer to those who need us, as well as often bringing new volunteers to our programs, too.
May
The Summer Speaker Series launched in May in Chandler. Each month, vetted speakers offered education for free to the community.
June
Neighbors Who Care hosted a volunteer happy hour to help folks get together and connect as part of our volunteer community. More than 70 volunteers enjoyed appetizers and sipped drinks at Sun Lakes Country Club’s newly renovated lounge.
July
Thanks to volunteer Ford Kitchel, Sheryl Keeme interviewed on several media shows, radio, and TV to help bring attention to our summer volunteer shortages. The extra attention helped boost our recruitment at a time when it’s deeply needed.
August
Coffee and donuts from 7:30 to 9 a.m. every other month or so has become a time for volunteers to get to know one another and connect. Robin Wilson, our volunteer manager, invites our volunteers to drop in and sip some coffee and enjoy a donut.
September
Our Neighbors Who Care board of directors vetted and approved a few new members. Sandi Spence, Director of Sales for The Village at Ocotillo, and Kim Akers, owner of Amada Senior Care, joined fellow board members Mike Amato, Board Chair; Kim Kubsch, Board Secretary; Ken Owens, Board Treasurer; Ellen Anthony; Kirk Deem; Suzie Judge; and Jodi Sornsin.
October
NWC staff members learned Verna Mahnke, our Director of Administration, would be retiring at the end of 2025 after 11 years. Chandler resident Jenny Sanderson joined staff team members Executive Director Sheryl Keeme, Case Manager Bonnie Kosar, Dinner Delivery Coordinator Carrie Bowen, Program Administrator Sandi Hullings, and Volunteer Manager Robin Wilson.
November
Neighbors Who Care celebrated its first-ever Welcome Back Volunteer BBQ on Nov. 2 at Sun Lakes Country Club’s Oasis Park. More than 85 attended and enjoyed food from American Way Smokehouse. Laura Zeiner joined our team as office manager.
December
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from NWC!
Register Now for Fall Conference
Sheryl Keeme
Just as expectant mothers attend classes to prepare for pregnancy and individuals with new health diagnoses learn how to manage their conditions, Neighbors Who Care offers its annual Aging Conference to help people prepare for the journey of aging. Our goal is to empower attendees to anticipate what’s ahead and discover how to feel their best as the years go by.
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, beginning at 8 a.m. at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, a slate of speakers are being curated to address several areas of aging: our physical selves, our brain and mental health, and our spiritual approach to living. To register, visit AgingMadeEasier.org or Eventbrite.com or call Neighbors Who Care at 480-895-7133, Ext. 170.
Neighbors Who Care is all about helping seniors age well and with ease! Aside from the speakers, there is an annually changing resource fair where 50 varied senior providers will be on hand to meet you and answer your questions. Each year, we continue to welcome back services everyone wants to know about while always sharing new services or businesses that offer cutting-edge ways of solving aging problems.
Speaker Agenda for the Morning:
8 a.m.: Doors open—Resource Hall open
9 a.m.: Welcome: Sheryl Keeme, Executive Director
9:10 a.m.: Ericka Avila Brian: Intention Setting for Learning
9:15 a.m.: Hemant Pandey, M.D.: Helpful Brain Health Prevention
9:45 a.m.: Panel: Your Brain, Cognition, Mindfulness Health Panel
10:30 a.m.: Break: Resource Hall open
10:50 a.m.: Shannon Wallace: Your Musical Memory Muscle—Work It!
11:15 a.m.: Ellen Anthony: Get the Most from Your Doctor Visits!
11:40 a.m.: Ericka Avila Brian: Mindfulness as a Spiritual Practice
When: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. Doors open for attendees at 8 a.m., and the conference ends at noon.
Where: Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 23620 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, Ariz.
Cost: Free for all attendees
Registration Is Required: Secure your seat at neighborswhocare.com or Eventbrite.com or by calling Neighbors Who Care at 480-895-7133, Ext. 170.