Making a Difference
At ELS, we believe in celebrating community – it’s at the core of what we do. While we know the sense of community is strong at our properties, it’s inspiring to see it in action and witness residents and organizations going above and beyond to care for each other.
From growing fresh food and distributing food donations to organizing a volunteer community watch team and keeping the community safe – we are humbled by the individuals and organizations within our communities that work to support one another. These acts of kindness enhance the bonds our customers have with each other, and we are proud to continue fostering these efforts in our communities.
Since beginning our ‘Making a Difference’ initiative in 2020, we are proud to continue to support these efforts aimed at Making a Difference in our communities. Each year, we identify good works, big and small, that are happening in our communities and support them with charitable donations. Some are resident-led, some are coordinated by homeowner associations, and others are non-profit agencies that assist our residents and others, but most importantly, all are Making a Difference.
This fantastic community spirit is fostered by the leadership of our on-site team members who embody our values of enthusiasm, empathy, communication, and ownership.
Below are just a few examples of the wonderful efforts that we are proud to support through our Making a Difference program.
Lake George Escape
A group near Lake George Escape in Lake George, NY, the Warrensburg Beautification Corporation, works to preserve and beautify the surrounding community. This group works to define and develop the visual qualities of the area, expanding pedestrian access to recreational, commercial, and residential areas. They promote appreciation, awareness, and preservation of the area’s historically significant architectural resources.
Tropical Palms
The Harry Chapin Food Bank, a local organization near Tropical Palms in Kissimmee, FL, plays a key role in supporting the community as their local food bank. They offer valuable services to support those in need.
Villa Borega
A local organization near Villa Borega in Las Vegas, NV, the Just One Project, runs adult education programs regarding financial literacy, emotional health, GED courses, and more. The organization delivers prepared meals to residents, as well as fresh food to keep the community healthy and well-fed.
Greenwood Village
Made up of all volunteers, the Manorville Fire Department works hard to keep the residents of Greenwood Village and others in Manorville, NY safe. Aside from the great work they do, this group has also participated in various events in the community, including marching in the Veterans Day parade!
Colony Cove
Run by the members of the Homeowners Association at Colony Cove in Ellenton, FL, the Colony Cove Helping Hands program assists residents in need with things such as the upkeep of their homes, meal distribution, and offers a general fund for residents impacted by significant life events.
Mays Landing
When there was a temporary pool closure at Mays Landing in Mays Landing, NJ, the Dorothy Volunteer Fire Department came to the rescue to bring fun for the kids. The department leveraged the opportunity as a community building event, bringing their fire trucks on the property to provide hose spraying fun for all. The fire department is made up of all volunteers and serves as the campground’s local fire department.
Cimarron Park
Cimarron Gardens is a nonprofit organization that provides fresh, healthy food to the residents of Cimarron Park in Lake Elmo, MN, among others. They grow fresh food in their garden to give to the community and even have a children’s garden in the community where they teach children how to grow their own food.
Harbor Lakes
Resident groups at Harbor Lakes in Port Charlotte, FL, known as Homeless Blankets and Homeless Boxes, help provide essential items to people in need. Homeless Boxes organizes shoeboxes with essentials for the homeless in the area and Homeless Blankets makes homemade blankets to deliver to a local homeless shelter.
Mesa Spirit
A resident group at Mesa Spirit, in Mesa, AZ, makes and donates quilts to help others in need. The group, The Quilters Club, donates the quilts to organizations such as New Leaf and AZ Blankets 4 Kids to bring an item of beauty and comfort to people who need it most.
Lake Village
A resident at Lake Village in Nokomis, FL donates countless hours to organize recycled occasion cards. Cards for all occasions are recycled, made ready to be re-gifted, and then offered to the residents of Lake Village for free (or a low cost) right inside the community clubhouse.
Mariner's Cove
A local non-profit organization, Help Initiative, helps the residents of Mariner’s Cove in Millsboro, DE, among others, with various home repairs at no cost. The group’s mission is to improve the quality of life, health, and safety of Delaware’s communities.
Cabana
Second Chance Animal Rescue, near Cabana in Las Vegas, NV, is an animal shelter that rescues unwanted pets. Made up of all volunteers, the organization’s mission is to get the animals back to living a full life by fostering and caring for the pets.
Bethpage Camp-Resort
Bay Aging, an organization for seniors near Bethpage Camp-Resort in Urbanna, VA, provides a local trolley to help residents and visitors easily access downtown Urbanna. The organization also works to support meal distribution throughout the larger Urbanna community.
Rancho Mesa
A resident at Rancho Mesa in El Cajon, CA donates his time to help neighbors with gardening work and home projects. Whether a neighbor needs help with a small project, or a bigger one, this resident does everything he can to help those in need.
Central Park Village
A resident at Central Park Village in Phoenix, AZ started a food pantry for the community. She picks up food items from different places to help stock the pantry and even uses her own money to make sure the pantry is stocked for others to enjoy. Aside from running the pantry, she also delivers meals to residents who are unable to visit the pantry on their own.
Cimarron Village
Broomfield FISH is a local organization that has been a valued partner of Cimarron Village in Broomfield, CO. The organization has been able to help residents in the community with meals, utility bills, and more. Residents have even pitched in to help the organization by passing out meals around the holidays!
Forest Lake Estates
The Thomas Promise Foundation offers support to the residents of Forest Lake Estates in Zephyrhills, FL. The organization helps those in need by providing financial assistance, clothing, and school supply distribution, as well as offering additional resources.
Sunshadow
A resident at Sunshadow in San Jose, CA has stepped up to help several of the feral cats in the community. The resident donates his time to trap, fix, and release the cats, even covering expenses out-of-pocket to do so.
Villa Borrega
Beach Cafe, a restaurant near Villa Borega in Las Vegas, NV, has stepped up to help others in need. The restaurant has volunteered to help the community by providing free food, coupons, and reduced prices for residents. They have also sponsored resident events with complimentary food.
Palm Shadows
A local organization near Glendale, AZ, the West Valley Community Food Pantry, is dedicated to serving the residents of Palm Shadows in Glendale, AZ, among others. They work hard to provide food boxes and everyday essentials.