A Good Heart: The servanthood that encapsulates Carol Freese is truly second to none

The Outstanding Senior of Northampton County 2022 is adding another recognition to her resume. Ms. Carol Freese has been selected as the 2023 Volunteer of the Year Distinguished Service Award from LeadingAge PA, and her track record speaks for itself.

According to LeadingAge PA, “The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual or group that enhances the quality of life for older adults through volunteer work,” and that describes Freese to a T.

For starters, during the height of COVID, Freese organized a team to sew and donate 2,400 masks. And then, as COVID restrictions began to be lifted she created a custom-made quilt portraying masks being burned to help share hope for a post-pandemic future.

On top of that, Carol made sure that each resident had proper attire for their Community Prom. In fact, she created 40-plus skirts and princess shawls to help all her fellow residents feel like royalty.

“Carol is extremely talented as a professional seamstress, and she lends that special talent generously and graciously.” Morningstar Living Director of Fun & Engagement Pam Kleckner said.

It is one thing to put your skills to use for a job, but when you do it for the good of others and when you give up your own time to serve others using these special talents, that sets you apart from everyone else.

The thing is, Freese is a senior care resident herself. In fact, she has been part of the Morningstar Living community for almost 15 years, and she has loved serving her fellow residents over the years.

“Carol became a resident at Moravian Hall Square in November 2008 and moved in with a drive and passion for volunteering,” Brynn Lee, CHRO of Morningstar Living, said. “She has many talents. She is a professional seamstress, an extraordinary baker and a servant leader. Carol volunteers her time and her talents as a way to make a positive difference in the lives of others, including fellow residents, resident family members, team members who work at Morningstar Living, members of the Lehigh Valley community and people who live in other parts of the world.”

And she does not do it for any reason other than to give back. Freese does not care about the praise or honor. In fact, she would rather stay out of the limelight and stay focused on what’s most important: the residents.

However, someone like Freese should not go unnoticed or underappreciated. She has too much heart for others and is too selfless to not deserve some extra pats on the back.

“Many of us have had the privilege of working with countless amazing volunteers throughout our careers,” Morningstar Living President & CEO Susan Cooper Drabic said. “And, in fact, I’m certain that I am not the only senior living professional that at one time might have said that I could never single out one volunteer over others simply because there have been so many that have touched our lives and made their way into our hearts. But in all my 40-plus years of working in senior living, I have to admit that I have never met a more humble, committed, gifted and self-effacing volunteer as Carol Freese.”

It might seem repetitive at this point to call Freese as selfless as a volunteer as they come, but that is because it truly speaks volumes about who she is. She makes an impact on so many of the lives all around her.

She started off volunteering for Meals on Wheels before moving onto a local Life Plan community and then eventually Morningstar Living. Volunteering and giving back are part of Freese’s DNA. She knows how to connect with people, how to give to people and how to make the world a better place in general.

Freese is also heavily involved in many events that happen in and around Morningstar Living.

“We plan and organize volunteer assignments for fundraising events, community outreach initiatives and programming for residents who live at Morningstar Living in all styles of living (independent living, personal care, memory support care and nursing care),” Kleckner said.

Whether she is cutting and sewing 55 dresses for a special campaign or whether she is organizing events, Freese is in her happy place when she is helping others and uplifting others.

Freese also devotes 23 times the national average of time spent volunteering each week. She gives up 23 hours of her time each week to help out around Morningstar Living, and that certainly makes a big difference for the community members along with the community itself.

Plus, on top of her sewing skills, Freese knows how to wrap presents like a boss too!

“Every holiday season Carol personally wraps Christmas presents (purchased by Morningstar Living) for residents living in personal care, memory care and nursing care at Moravian Hall Square,” Lee said. “This year she wrapped over 200 gifts!”

If you ask Morningstar Living, they will tell you they could not do it without Freese.

And they are certainly right. The time, dedication and skill that goes into those 23 hours each and every week are completely unmatched.

Then again, when you live by the words Drabic said Freese lives by, it all makes sense.

“Free your heart from hatred.

Free your mind from worries.

Live simply.

Give more. Expect less.”