At Village Shalom, extraordinary care isn’t always found in grand gestures. More often, it’s found in the quiet moments when a team member notices what matters most to a resident and decides to do something about it.
For Volunteer Coordinator John Gilbert, that’s simply what caring looks like.
Some people retire and move on.
John Gilbert came back.
Long before he became Village Shalom’s Volunteer Coordinator, John was already part of the Village Shalom family. From 1998 to 2000, he volunteered at what was then Shalom Geriatric Center as the assistant art therapist. Those early experiences introduced him to the relationships and sense of community that continue to define Village Shalom today.
In 2015, John officially joined the Village Shalom team as Facilities Manager. Over the next decade, he became a familiar face across campus—someone residents, families, volunteers, and fellow team members all knew by name. Whether solving a problem, lending a hand, or simply stopping to visit, John built relationships that extended far beyond his job description.
When John retired in 2025, it didn’t take long before he realized he missed the people who had become such an important part of his life. A few months later, he returned as Volunteer Coordinator—a role perfectly suited for someone who loves bringing people together and enriching the lives of Village Shalom residents through volunteer service.
One of those residents is Sonja.
John has known Sonja for years. Like many residents at Village Shalom, he doesn’t just know her room number or care plan—he knows her story.
He knows that some of the most important relationships in Sonja’s life have had whiskers.
Years ago, Sonja patiently earned the trust of a feral cat named Georgia. It took nearly a year, but Georgia eventually became her beloved companion. After Georgia passed away, Sonja adopted another cat, Zelda. Then unexpected health challenges changed everything.
Following an extended recovery away from home, Sonja made the difficult decision to let Zelda remain with the family caring for her, believing she would have a happier life there.
When her health improved, Sonja adopted another cat named Dorothy. Unfortunately, another extended hospitalization meant she was once again unable to care for her beloved companion.
That’s when the spirit of Village Shalom shined through.
Without being asked, a group of Village Shalom team members came together to care for Dorothy while Sonja was in the hospital. They affectionately became known as “Team Dorothy,” taking turns caring for the cat until Sonja was able to decide what was best for her.
No one assigned them the task.
It wasn’t listed in a job description.
It was simply what compassionate people do.
Today, Sonja lives in Village Shalom’s skilled nursing community. Although she has adjusted well, she often shares how much she misses having a cat in her life.
John regularly stops by to visit Sonja, just as he does with many residents throughout the community.
During one visit, she talked about how much she missed the companionship of a cat.
For John, it wasn’t just another conversation.
It stayed with him.
“I just couldn’t sleep until I found something to help Sonja,” John recalls.
So he started making phone calls.
While researching therapy animal organizations, John discovered something many people don’t even know exists—therapy cats. He learned that Mo-Kan Pet Partners had two certified therapy cats, but both already had full schedules.
Still, John wasn’t ready to give up.
After sharing Sonja’s story—and with a little persistence—Mo-Kan Pet Partners graciously agreed to arrange a special one-time visit from Hazel and her handler, Julie.
Hazel’s visit was everything John had hoped for.
The gentle therapy cat curled up beside Sonja, bringing smiles, comfort, laughter, and treasured memories rushing back. For a little while, Sonja wasn’t thinking about what she had lost. She was simply enjoying the companionship of a cat once again.
To many people, it looked like a therapy animal visiting a resident.
To Sonja, it meant someone had listened.
Someone had remembered.
Someone cared enough to make one more phone call.
That’s what makes John a champion.
Not because he found a therapy cat—but because he refused to stop looking until he found a way to brighten one resident’s day.
John’s story is just one example of the countless ways Village Shalom team members go above and beyond each day to make our residents feel known, valued, and cared for.
Through the Employee Appreciation Fund, residents, families, and friends of Village Shalom have an opportunity to say thank you to the dedicated people who make moments like these possible.
Who is your everyday champion? Make a gift to the Employee Appreciation Fund and share the name of a Village Shalom team member who has made a difference to you or someone you love.
