At the Army Residence Community (ARC), we have adopted an active, living Strategic Plan that guides our daily life, lifestyle, and business decisions. At the center of our mission, of course, is service to more than 700 residents. But what we’ve discovered is that those who live with us and have accomplished incredible feats to strengthen our great nation also love serving those who serve them. Our residents will tell you that they value and care deeply for the ARC’s workforce.
Case in point: The Smith Fund. Founded by Air Force Colonel James Howard Smith, this Fund supplements our non-director staff’s wages to help close the gap created by a campus-wide no-tipping policy. COL Smith lived at the ARC from 1987 until his passing in 2008, and his legacy lives on through the Fund he created. It’s more than philanthropy. It’s a contagious desire to show gratitude, and dare we say “love”, to the people who take care of homes, serve meals, maintain yards, provide transportation … the list is almost endless. “We become friends, like a second family.”
Each year, our residents contribute philanthropic dollars to support the Smith Fund, which is shared at the beginning of December among our non-director colleagues based on their hours worked during the previous year. (A much smaller distribution is also made in the spring.) It all culminates during a distribution day, where an assembly line of “handshakers and huggers” show gratitude and pass out checks. It is joyous and heartwarming, and it brings sweet tears. It is a favorite day of the year among both employees and residents. It re-emphasizes the meaning of the holiday season.
So what does this mean for the average employee? Gifts for new grandbabies, college tuition, four new tires, a deposit for a long-awaited cruise! And a renewed commitment to serve our wonderful residents for another year. With almost $600,000 collected, the average employee received upwards of $1,500. This will certainly make the holidays brighter!
As for those who support the Fund: “I cry every year on this day … tears of JOY! I hope COL Smith somehow knows the impact of his investment in the future of the ARC. We have employees who have worked here for more than 30 years who undoubtedly knew him. What a great man he was. What a tone he set!”
This story was penned by our phenomenal Director of Development, Anna Sweeden. With over 30 years of fundraising expertise in the greater San Antonio area, Anna has held key roles at organizations such as the San Antonio Symphony, The Nature Conservancy, Daughters of Charity Services, and the American Red Cross. Throughout her career, her collaborative leadership has been instrumental in securing nearly $100 million for various capital campaigns.
Want to support retired military veterans in San Antonio? The ARC is an outstanding senior living community and a fantastic choice for your donation. To donate, visit: https://armyresidence.com/giving/
