Submitted by Cindy Potters
SAGE Eldercare has named Pam and Richard Hefter of Summit as their “Sweethearts of the Year” for 2019. Richard is originally from Bayside Queens and Pam grew up in Great Notch, New Jersey. They met in 1974 when they were both computer programmers at Met Life in Manhattan and played Hearts every day at lunch. “That’s what computer people did – we played cards,” said Richard laughing. They married in 1980 and moved to Summit the following year. They have two children; a son who is currently living in Poland and a daughter who resides in Manhattan.
When Richard retired five years ago he wanted to do something meaningful with his newfound free time. A friend in Washington DC had been delivering Meals on Wheels for years and told Richard how rewarding it was. He contacted SAGE and has been a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the SAGE Grocery and Errand Service ever since.
Pam volunteers at SAGE’s front desk and occasionally accompanies Richard when he delivers meals. Assisting her late parents, who lived on Cape Cod, negotiate medical care was one of the reasons the two sought out SAGE. “The experience of helping my parents taught us a lot about what happens when you get older and don’t want to leave your home,” said Pam.
“A lot of people are quick to write off the elderly,” said Richard, adding that he and Pam have met such wonderful, interesting people since they began volunteering, including a former top chemist for Polaroid and an Intervention Radiologist who helped Pam find a specialist when she was in need of one. They’ve also cooked dinners for clients, repaired electronics and run errands when needed, among other things. “People like Rich and Pam exemplify why Meals on Wheels is so much more than a meal delivery service,” said Marianne Kranz, SAGE’s Director of Volunteers. “Our volunteers take clients nutritious meals, but they also make sure they are safe each day and visit for that much-needed human connection.”
Richard said he is always the last to return to SAGE on the days he volunteers because he spends extra time visiting with clients. For many this is their only contact all day. “These people have lived full lives and have amazing stories to tell,” he said. “This has been a learning experience.”
Since 1954, SAGE Eldercare has been helping make the communities it serves amazing places to age. The organization provides a wide array of information, support, and services designed to help individuals lead the most independent and active lives possible. From helping with errands, to exercise classes, community programs, care planning, and home health care, SAGE’s expertise helps older adults remain independent in their own homes. SAGE is committed to being the leading provider of programs and services to meet the changing needs of older adults, their families, and caregivers throughout Union, Essex, Morris, and Somerset Counties. For more information, please call 908-273-5550 or visit sageeldercare.org.
(above) Sage Eldercare has named Pam and Richard Hefter of Summit “Sweethearts of the Year” for 2019. “The experience of helping my parents taught us a lot about what happens when you get older and don’t want to leave your home,” said Pam.
