George Keady’s dedication to Glenmeadow is evident in the time, energy, and donations he has contributed to our organization.
When George Keady walks the hallways at Glenmeadow, he typically greets several neighbors and family friends from his childhood. “I recognize names on the doors here—people my parents knew well,” he said. “It’s nice.”
In 2019, when it was time to look into life plan communities for his mother, Pat, he and his four sisters knew Glenmeadow was the perfect place for her because of his past and ongoing involvement in the Glenmeadow community and knowing the full extent that we meet the broad-scope needs of older adults.
It’s no secret that George is devoted to helping Glenmeadow enhance and expand our exceptional and personalized care to the people we serve. His dedication is evident in the time, energy, and donations he has contributed to our organization.
George, a Longmeadow native and a Financial Advisor, served on our board of directors for 15 years, as board chairman from 2007 to 2009, as co-chair of our capital campaign in 2013, and as a corporate ambassador for many years. And when it comes to being a referral source, George is more than happy to sing the praises of the campus his mother Pat calls home.
“In finding the right option for a member of your family, you can check out other places if you’d like, but Glenmeadow is a unique community,” he said. George points out that his multiple perspectives on Glenmeadow—as a volunteer, fundraiser, and a son of one of our residents—gives him an uncommon viewpoint. “It’s great that I have that background,” he said. “We’re very pleased with my mother’s experience here. There is no shortage of offerings for her. She likes the exercise classes, and she enjoys music—from time to time there is someone playing piano in the living room. She absolutely loves that. She also enjoyed the speaker programs before COVID, and she’s looking forward to speakers returning.”
Prior to Pat moving in, she and her husband were on the Glenmeadow waiting list, but both were also determined to stay in their longtime Longmeadow home for as long as possible. When George’s father, The Honorable George Keady Jr., a prominent member of the Springfield legal community, died in 2019, Pat remained fiercely independent and initially didn’t think moving to Glenmeadow was for her. “She was familiar with people who lived here, and friendly with some of them, so that warmed up the process,” he said. “At first she didn’t want to admit that coming here was a good idea, but since then she has said to us a hundred times, ‘This is where I belong.’ She comments almost every time we see her, ‘They know my name here.’ That means a lot. Glenmeadow has brought her company and companionship—people to eat meals with, and activities to take part in, versus being in the house all alone.”
George’s involvement in Glenmeadow began in the late 1990s, when former board of directors chair Brad Gill recruited him to join the board. Brad was instrumental in Glenmeadow’s move from downtown Springfield—where it was known as Chestnut Knoll—to Longmeadow in 1997. George, as co-chair of our capital campaign in 2013, was active in raising funds for significant renovations to the common areas of Glenmeadow.
George said that when he was a board member, it became immediately clear to him—especially when he sat on the development committee—that Glenmeadow’s nonprofit status is not publicized enough. Simply put, it’s important for people to know that we require additional resources to create new and innovative programs and services in response to changing needs.
“I think the public perception is that the monthly cash flow from the residents’ charges covers all of Glenmeadow’s expenses, and that’s not the case,” he said. “Take, for example, the current renovation: it’s a beautiful building that needs capital improvements. Another good example is the scholarship program.” In this program—a safety net of sorts—when our residents can no longer afford to live here, Glenmeadow supports them so that they are able to stay. “No one has ever been asked to leave Glenmeadow because they can’t pay,” said George. “A lot is going on behind the scenes here that requires additional funding.” As for raising fees to cover expenses, “you can raise fees, but you can also make it unaffordable for some,” he said, ”and we don’t want to do that.”
George is confident that as more potential donors are informed about Glenmeadow’s needs, we can bring in new income streams to forge a stronger financial future. “Glenmeadow’s mission, to provide premier services for older adults, obviously resonates with people,” he said. “It has touched many lives. Giving is a way to keep our mission thriving.”
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George Keady’s dedication to Glenmeadow is evident in the time, energy, and donations he has contributed to our organization.
When George Keady walks the hallways at Glenmeadow, he typically greets several neighbors and family friends from his childhood. “I recognize names on the doors here—people my parents knew well,” he said. “It’s nice.”
In 2019, when it was time to look into life plan communities for his mother, Pat, he and his four sisters knew Glenmeadow was the perfect place for her because of his past and ongoing involvement in the Glenmeadow community and knowing the full extent that we meet the broad-scope needs of older adults.
It’s no secret that George is devoted to helping Glenmeadow enhance and expand our exceptional and personalized care to the people we serve. His dedication is evident in the time, energy, and donations he has contributed to our organization.
George, a Longmeadow native and a Financial Advisor, served on our board of directors for 15 years, as board chairman from 2007 to 2009, as co-chair of our capital campaign in 2013, and as a corporate ambassador for many years. And when it comes to being a referral source, George is more than happy to sing the praises of the campus his mother Pat calls home.
“In finding the right option for a member of your family, you can check out other places if you’d like, but Glenmeadow is a unique community,” he said. George points out that his multiple perspectives on Glenmeadow—as a volunteer, fundraiser, and a son of one of our residents—gives him an uncommon viewpoint. “It’s great that I have that background,” he said. “We’re very pleased with my mother’s experience here. There is no shortage of offerings for her. She likes the exercise classes, and she enjoys music—from time to time there is someone playing piano in the living room. She absolutely loves that. She also enjoyed the speaker programs before COVID, and she’s looking forward to speakers returning.”
Prior to Pat moving in, she and her husband were on the Glenmeadow waiting list, but both were also determined to stay in their longtime Longmeadow home for as long as possible. When George’s father, The Honorable George Keady Jr., a prominent member of the Springfield legal community, died in 2019, Pat remained fiercely independent and initially didn’t think moving to Glenmeadow was for her. “She was familiar with people who lived here, and friendly with some of them, so that warmed up the process,” he said. “At first she didn’t want to admit that coming here was a good idea, but since then she has said to us a hundred times, ‘This is where I belong.’ She comments almost every time we see her, ‘They know my name here.’ That means a lot. Glenmeadow has brought her company and companionship—people to eat meals with, and activities to take part in, versus being in the house all alone.”
George’s involvement in Glenmeadow began in the late 1990s, when former board of directors chair Brad Gill recruited him to join the board. Brad was instrumental in Glenmeadow’s move from downtown Springfield—where it was known as Chestnut Knoll—to Longmeadow in 1997. George, as co-chair of our capital campaign in 2013, was active in raising funds for significant renovations to the common areas of Glenmeadow.
George said that when he was a board member, it became immediately clear to him—especially when he sat on the development committee—that Glenmeadow’s nonprofit status is not publicized enough. Simply put, it’s important for people to know that we require additional resources to create new and innovative programs and services in response to changing needs.
“I think the public perception is that the monthly cash flow from the residents’ charges covers all of Glenmeadow’s expenses, and that’s not the case,” he said. “Take, for example, the current renovation: it’s a beautiful building that needs capital improvements. Another good example is the scholarship program.” In this program—a safety net of sorts—when our residents can no longer afford to live here, Glenmeadow supports them so that they are able to stay. “No one has ever been asked to leave Glenmeadow because they can’t pay,” said George. “A lot is going on behind the scenes here that requires additional funding.” As for raising fees to cover expenses, “you can raise fees, but you can also make it unaffordable for some,” he said, ”and we don’t want to do that.”
George is confident that as more potential donors are informed about Glenmeadow’s needs, we can bring in new income streams to forge a stronger financial future. “Glenmeadow’s mission, to provide premier services for older adults, obviously resonates with people,” he said. “It has touched many lives. Giving is a way to keep our mission thriving.”
