22 Nov Park Springs Market: Thanks & Giving
When long-term Park Springs Members Ken and Elsie Meyer first decided to coordinate the Park Springs Market in the Clubhouse eight years ago, they did not foresee that the Market would become such an integral part of the Park Springs retirement community.
“Having the Market on campus is a real convenience to both the Park Springs Members and employees – it’s easy to pick up staples, snacks or even specialty items that people can order in advance. It is also a great place to meet new Members and stay in touch with your friends on a regular basis, and stay involved and active in our community,” says Mr. Meyer.
“The Market has embraced a pretty unique business model: all proceeds raised by the Market are used to benefit a number of great causes. We contribute to the Park Springs Employee Appreciation Fund, and we buy large-print books for the Park Springs library.”
For the past six years, the Park Springs Market has also been collecting contributions for the Lilburn Cooperative Ministry to make the Thanksgiving holiday a little brighter for this local non-profit’s clients. Anresa Davis, Park Springs’ Senior Residency Counselor, and Bob Peeples, another Park Springs Member, inspired this partnership.
“Our Members are invited to contribute in three different ways to this Thanksgiving campaign,” explains Mrs. Meyer. “They can buy items in the Market to donate, or they may bring canned and dry goods to the Market. We also collect cash. Last year, we were able to buy and deliver 33 turkeys in addition to the items we’d collected during the month leading up to Thanksgiving. This year, we’ll definitely reach this number and may even surpass it thanks to the generous contributions by the Park Springs Members.”
The Park Springs Market is open every weekday between 10 AM and 1:30 PM and is completely self-sufficient. There are some 40 regular volunteers who help sell and run the register at the market. In addition, 14 Park Springs Market committee members take care of everything else and oversee the workings of the market, including but not limited to inventory, shopping, stocking, and scheduling.
Giving and saying “Thanks” are at the core of the Market year-round.
“We are so glad to be a part of this community,” note Mr. and Mrs. Meyer, who were one of the first couples to move into Park Springs CCRC when it opened in 2004. “Moving here from Asheville (NC) was one of the smartest things we’ve ever done – except for marrying each other 67 years ago!”