Making a Difference - 2021
We are humbled by individuals and organizations within our communities that work to support one another. 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 take care of each other.
From growing fresh food and teaching children how to cook to organizing a volunteer-based community watch team and distributing food donations from grocery stores and plenty more organizations that work to bring our communities even closer together. These acts of kindness enhance the bonds our customers have with each other and to our communities. We are proud to continue fostering these efforts in our communities.
In the second year of our initiative to support these efforts aimed at Making a Difference in Our Communities, we have identified good works, big and small, happening in our communities today that we are supporting with a charitable donation. Some are resident-led, some coordinated by homeowner associations, others are non-profit agencies that assist our residents, but all are Making a Difference in Our Communities.
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.
Following are just a few examples of the wonderful efforts that are Making a Difference in Our Communities that we are proud to support.
Cimarron Village
Broomfield FISH is a local organization has been a valued partner of Cimarron Village (Broomfield, CO) for over 30 years and has been able to help residents with meals, utility bills and more. Residents have even pitched in to help the organization by passing out meals around the holidays.
Westwood Village
Two residents at Westwood Village (Farr West, UT) cook homemade meals for residents and deliver them to a number of their neighbors every week. They’ve been doing this for seven years and have made an impact on the residents served by these generous ladies.
Dolce Vita
One resident at Dolce Vita (Apache Junction, AZ) gives back to the local community by helping the nearby Apache community, homeless veterans, and women’s groups. Members of the Dolce Vita community have stepped in to join this resident’s efforts with donations of quilts, hats, scarves and much more.
Buena Vista
Residents are lucky to have a helpful neighbor at Buena Vista (Fargo, ND). One resident goes above and beyond to help his neighbors by shoveling snowy walkways, assisting with lawn care, picking up trash from vacant lots, and much more. And he does it all with a smile!
Sandy Beach RV Campground
The Pass Along Project puts together suitcases for foster children with clothes and toys to make sure they have anything they might need. Two guests at Sandy Beach RV Campground (Contoocook, NH) added teddy bears to the suitcases on behalf of the campground to bring comfort and a smile to children’s faces.
Colony Cove
Members of the Homeowners Association at Colony Cove (Ellenton, FL) have created the Helping Hands program to help members of the community. Helping Hands assists residents in need with upkeep of their homes, meal distribution and offers a general fund for residents impacted by significant life events.
Bay Indies
The Butterfly Garden was created by the Garden Club at Bay Indies (Venice, FL) and serves as a wonderful spot for residents to come together and enjoy its beauty. The club planned, planted and continues to maintain this popular community oasis.
Nearby at the Bay Indies (Venice, FL) Veterans Memorial Park, residents have helped keep the beauty of the park alive by spending countless hours planting, weeding, and organizing the garden. They even painted park benches to add to the beauty!
Drummer Boy RV Campground
In honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, campers at Drummer Boy RV Campground (Gettysburg, PA) organized a donation to the National Fallen Fire Fighters Fund to thank them for all they do for families of fire fighters.
Cabana
A resident at Cabana (Las Vegas, NV) spearheaded a project, enlisting the help of other residents in the community, to gather food from local food banks to create a convenient food pantry in the community for residents in need of assistance.
Oaks at Point South
One guest at the Oaks at Point South (Yamasee, SC) does anything she can to help other guests at the campground. She provides rides to and from doctor appointments, brings groceries and meals to guests who are without transportation and does much more to make sure others are taken care of during their time at the property.
Village of the Four Seasons
A resident regularly goes above and beyond for his neighbors at Village of the Four Seasons (San Jose, CA) by helping with home repairs, building stairs and decks, painting homes and much more. Residents are grateful to have a neighbor who is always ready to lend a hand.
Hacienda De Valencia
In an effort to provide support to women suffering from breast cancer, residents at Hacienda De Valencia (Mesa, AZ) organized a group to make supplies to help women undergoing treatment. The group makes drain aprons, chemo hats, lap throws, totes and so much more to support these women.
Quail Hollow
A resident at Quail Hollow (Fairview, OR) organized a neighborhood food pantry exchange where residents could come and take the food they need. Neighbors can also drop off any food items to contribute to the pantry and the resident also collects food from local organizations to add to the pantry.
One resident helps neighbors at Quail Hollow (Fairview, OR) in any way he can by offering to walk neighbors’ dogs, dropping off holiday meal items to residents in need and even buys gifts for his neighbors (and their pets) for the holidays.
Another resident helps neighbors with their yardwork at Quail Hollow (Fairview, OR). This is extremely helpful for residents who aren’t able to manage the task themselves. The support and generosity of this resident helps ensure these yards continue to look great.
Harbor Lakes
A resident group called People Who Care at Harbor Lakes (Port Charlotte, FL) works to raise money to donate to the Salvation Army. This money goes to buy bicycles and toys for families in need through the Salvation Army.
Another resident group at Harbor Lakes (Port Charlotte, FL) organizes shoeboxes with essentials for the homeless in the area. Residents purchase essentials and fill the shoeboxes to pass out to those in need in the local community.
Similarly, a group at Harbor Lakes (Port Charlotte, FL) make blankets to deliver to a local homeless shelter. This group is so proud of the difference they’ve made to the local community of Port Charlotte.
Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort
Cornerstone Hospice has been working with Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort (Clermont, FL) and is a trusted resource for customers of the resort. Each year guests of the resort work to raise money for the hospice center to help them continue their efforts in the local community.
Cimarron Park
Volunteers created Cimarron Gardens, an organization that provides fresh, healthy food to residents of Cimarron Park (Lake Elmo, MN). They grow foods in their garden to give to the community and have a children’s garden in the community where they teach children how to grow their own food.
Family Means, a non-profit organization, provides afterschool tutoring and programming to children and teen residents at Cimarron Park in their children and teens center in the community. Family Means ensures children of the community have a safe, welcoming destination after school, where they can receive tutoring and homework assistance, as well as enjoy supervised fun with friends.
Emerald Lakes
Members of the homeowners’ association at Emerald Lake (Punta Gorda, FL) have organized a community watch team that’s made up entirely of volunteers looking to keep the community safe. They also organize various events to keep residents active and bring the community closer together.
Greenwood Village
The Manorville Fire Department is made up of volunteers and work hard to keep residents of Greenwood Village (Manorville, NY) safe. They’ve also participated in various events at the community including marching in the Veterans Day parade.
Holiday Village
Volunteers with the Cares Program at Holiday Village (Colorado Springs, CO) established a phone call tree to keep neighbors connected to each other, especially those who were experiencing loneliness and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, they also donated over 250 face masks and “Care” supply bags to residents of Holiday Village.
Silver Key is a non-profit organization that provides the Connections Café low-cost lunch program for residents of Holiday Village five days a week.
Island Vista Estates
The homeowners’ association at Island Vista Estates (North Fort Myers, FL) organizes events and programs for members of the community to come together.
Palm Shadows
West Valley Community Food Pantry provides residents of Palm Shadows (Glendale, AZ) with food boxes and provides management with food boxes to distribute to residents.
Pine Lakes Country Club and Lake Fairways Country Club
Volunteers from Pine Lakes Country Club and Lake Fairways Country Club (North Fort Myers, FL) organized Wake up America which works daily to take food donations from local grocery stores and distribute it to local communities who need it the most.
Bethpage Camp Resort
Bay Aging, a senior community, received support from Bethpage Camp Resort (Urbanna, VA) to provide a local trolley which helps local residents and visitors to the area easily access downtown Urbanna. Additionally, the organization works to support meal distribution throughout the larger Urbanna community.
Whalers Rest
Bright Horizons, a non-profit organization, is a therapeutic horseback riding center that works to improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of individuals. The team from Whalers Rest (South Beach, OR) appreciates Bright Horizons for the important support services it provides to at-risk members of the greater community.
Pine Acres RV Campground
The Raymond Food Bank supports the local community of Raymond, NH through their Caring Fund to give financial help to people struggling to pay rent, electricity and various expenses. They also provide their community with food from their food bank, and during the COVID-19 pandemic supported local businesses by purchasing gift cards. The team from Pine Acres RV Campground (Raymond, NH) recognizes the food bank as a valued resource for the greater community.