Neighbors Care Alliance
Park West Neighbors Helping Neighbors
By Kathleen Dubbs, Board Member One glance at the photo accompanying this article, and you will know why Byron Jordan dons his Santa suit and spends the holiday time bringing joy to children and adults alike. Byron only moved to Tucson a year and a half ago, but he and his wife, Mary, have already made themselves indispensable in the community where they relocated. Park West Neighbors Helping Neighbors began services in 2014 under PCOA’s Neighbors Care Alliance (NCA) Program. Rita Hildebrand was the leader from the start and is still the guiding force. In the Park West community, residents watch out for each other, making sure folks have help when needed. The volunteers provide transportation, run errands, make friendly phone calls or visits, and provide relief to caregivers. Additionally, Park West Neighbors Helping Neighbors has found ways during these challenging times to continue connections and reduce isolation by improving existing amenities in their community. Byron and Mary Jordan moved to Park West in the middle of the pandemic, so the clubhouse was closed, including the library. Polly Stuart, a long-time resident, had set up a small library under her carport during this time, but it was becoming difficult to manage. With more space in her driveway, Rita Hildebrand stepped in, and the library became an extension of neighbors helping neighbors. Fortunately, the Jordans moved in next door, and they soon offered to manage the collection. They bought a couple of used bookcases, separated books according to category, and kept it tidy. When the clubhouse opened on a limited basis, Byron and Mary moved all the books and thoroughly reorganized the existing volumes in the library. They catalogued all 700 books and devised a system for determining which books stay when space is needed for newly donated books. Their organization of the library has been a big plus to the residents of Park West. Now for the Santa activities. With Byron’s full white beard, long white hair, and lively personality, it was a no-brainer for him to start playing Santa at a music store where he worked in Topeka, Kansas. He has a full Santa suit and Mary plays the role of Mrs. Claus. Here in Tucson, while working with animal rescue organizations, they also did photos posing with dogs and cats needing to find their forever homes. They also appear
Byron and Mary Jordan
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." — Robert Louis Stevenson Bryon and Mary Jordan continue to find new ways to be of service to the Park West Neighbors Helping Neighbors, like picking up garbage for two residents in the park who can no longer drive. Certainly, Topeka’s loss is Tucson’s gain! at dog parks and sometimes stroll through farmers markets where children flock to them, continually doing random acts of kindness throughout the holiday season.
February 2022, Never Too Late | Page 29
Pima Council on Aging
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