goins on
OBy Ted W. Goins, Jr. | LSC president
New pharmacy venture embraces technology, teammate satisfaction
ur new pharmacy venture is producing! Eight of Lutheran Services Carolinas’ (LSC’s) senior communities have already implemented the new system; everyone will be on the new system by September 30, 2025!
LSC replaced its highly successful 30-year-old LSA Pharmacy with Leading Care Pharmacy. Leading Care is a partnership between LSC and the much larger and highly respected Neil Medical. Why replace a successful operation?
Health care and pharmacies are changing. Most nursing homes are still providing medications to health care communities using the same system they were using
during the 1970s: little or no technology/ automation, error-prone, labor-intensive, and costly. Our pharmacy and health care teammates have done exemplary work; now is the time to embrace technology and greater efficiency for the future. As in the past, if there is any surplus for LSC, it goes right back into the ministry, not into a pharmacy owner’s pocket.
LSC’s residents deserve the best. Leading Care is packaging resident medications for each resident for much-improved safety. As you know, drug errors can be life-threatening. State-of-the-art packaging, which includes electronic scanning, is an amazing improvement to prevent errors.
The system also frees up nurses from antiquated paper and systems to spend more time with residents! Other benefits for even more success include saving nursing time when nurses are so hard to find, and the ability to leverage the scale/size of a larger pharmacy partner.
The nurses and medication aides already using the system have fallen in love with the technology and efficiency. Teammate satisfaction may be one of the most important benefits, as teammate satisfaction is a key to quality care. That’s The LSC Way!
Thank you for allowing me to share this relatively unseen but vitally important component of resident care. LSC will continue to learn, grow, and serve.
LSC earns Candid Platinum Seals of Transparency for 2025
For the fourth year running, LSC has earned two Platinum Seals — the highest possible distinction — from Candid, a nonprofit that provides the most comprehensive social sector data and insights available.
LSC received one Platinum Seal for Lutheran Family Services and another for Lutheran Services for the Aging. Nonprofits earn a Bronze Seal by providing basic information about their mission, leadership, and programs. By sharing financial information, they progress to a Silver Seal; by sharing qualitative information on goals, strategies, and vision, they earn Gold. Organizations awarded the Platinum Seal provide all these data points as well as metrics that demonstrate progress toward achieving their mission. More than 10 million people use the Candid website to find in-depth financial information before making a giving decision.
On the cover: Pharmacy teammates Kaitlyn Smith and Rashida Price work with the automated packaging device that produces the Smart Pass pouches.
Searstone/Lutheran Services Carolinas award $667,000 to Wake-area nonprofits
From left to right: Katherine Vance, associate executive director of youth development of YMCA of the Triangle; Elaine Whitford, executive director of The Center for Volunteer Caregiving; Stephanie Davage, development director of SAFEchild; Bradford Brady, executive director of Caring Community Foundation; Madison Lozano, food pantry programs manager for North Raleigh Ministries; Eric Wolford, founder of Caring Community Foundation; Angie Field, executive director of YMCA of the Triangle; Jim Pierce, Searstone Grant Committee member; Jill Wolford; founder of Caring Community Foundation; Melissa Driver Beard, executive director of CORA Food Pantry; Marjorie Terry, grants administrator with Inter-Faith Food Shuttle; Kristen Brannock; president of Resources for Seniors; Joan DeBruin, Searstone Grant Committee member; Meg Sink, development director of Note in the Pocket; Lucy Jones; volunteer and outreach coordinator of Families Together NC; Zella Bracy, chapter co-president for Sleep in Heavenly Peace; Matt Towler, executive director of Searstone; Kelly Nutty, director of development and communications for Families Together NC; Major Charles Whiten, area commander/corps officer for The Salvation Army of Wake County; Janel Burns, senior vice president of Hope Renovations; Paige Watts, grants manager with Inter-Faith Food Shuttle; Chris Kelley, associate planned giving director of The Salvation Army of Wake County; Nora Spencer, founder and CEO of Hope Renovations; David Wolf, Searstone Grant Committee member; and Gil Arnold, technology expert at Bridge the Gap.
The Searstone/Lutheran Services
Carolinas Community Benefit Committee recently announced $667,000 in grants to 19 organizations in Wake County.
Since 2014, the committee has directed up to five percent of revenues from the operation of Searstone, an independent living community in Cary, to Wake County
nonprofit organizations serving seniors, indigent seniors, or other vulnerable populations. The partnership has awarded almost $6.9 million to these organizations since it began.
The following organizations received awards for the last grant cycle: Bridge The Gap Mission, Caring Community Foundation, The Carying Place, Inc., The Center
for Volunteer Caregiving, CORA Food Pantry, Durham Center for Seniors, Hope Renovations, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary, Kraft Family YMCA, North Raleigh Ministries, Note In The Pocket, PLM Families Together, Resources for Seniors, Rotary Memory Café of Cary, SAFEchild, Salvation Army, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and Ann’s Huggables.
Hudgins receives Excellence in Governance Award from LeadingAge North Carolina
Gregory A. Hudgins, immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees for LSC, has been honored with the Excellence in Governance Award by LeadingAge North Carolina, the state’s premier association of retirement communities. The award was presented at the organization’s Annual Meeting on May 8, recognizing Hudgins’ extraordinary leadership, vision, and service to the field of aging services.
Hudgins’ tenure on the LSC Board of Trustees spanned nearly two decades, culminating in his role as chair from 2021 to 2024. His leadership years were marked by excellence, growth, and justice, values that defined both his personal commitment and the organization’s strategic direction.
“I must say it was a wonderful feeling to find out that LSC believed my contributions as board chair warranted nomination for this award,” Hudgins shared.
“For decades I have admired LSC and the commitment it has to serving elders, families, and children in North and South Carolina. Being on the board allowed me to use my God-given gifts to help the organization continue its mission of service. I especially enjoyed my time as chair, which was rewarding for me personally to help LSC expand its outreach. What a blessing to work with LSC’s passionate and professional teammates and to serve on a board with people committed to serving others.”
A Duke University graduate and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Hudgins dedicated over 41 years to Duke University professionally. He and his wife, Jeanna, are long-time residents of Durham, North Carolina.
Hudgins first joined the LSC Board in 2006, serving until 2012 before returning in 2015. He chaired the Finance Committee from 2017 to 2019 and
then led the Executive Committee and full Board from 2021 until his departure in 2024. As board chair, he served ex officio on all committees, bringing strategic insight and a steady hand to every aspect of LSC’s governance.
During his leadership, LSC experienced unprecedented growth:
• The opening of Trinity Village independent living in Hickory, NC.
• The acquisition of Dallas High School apartments to serve low-income seniors in Gaston County.
• The launch of free tuition programs for teammates pursuing RN or LPN certifications through the NC community college system.
• The creation of a Nurse Aide I Training Program to address CNA shortages.
• The expansion of Senior Total Life Care PACE partnerships to Shelby, making LSC a partner in five PACE locations across the state.
• The acquisition of GlenFlora in Lumberton and Aston Park Health Care Center in Asheville.
• The opening of Trinity Landing, a 208-apartment active senior living community on the Intracoastal Waterway in Wilmington.
Hudgins also championed LSC’s justice initiatives, helping to embed Justice as a core organizational value in 2021.
His visionary leadership has helped shape LSC into a $240 million ministry dedicated to its mission of Abundant Living for residents, clients, and teammates.
“Greg was a trustee in the most noble sense of that word,” said LSC President Ted Goins. “He worked tirelessly for what was right and best for LSC, acting in sacred trust for his church and his state. That is a noble calling he shares with all the past and present trustees of LSC.”
Gregory A. Hudgins
Welcome New Shepherd Society members
LSC’s Shepherd Society is a dedicated community of donors and volunteers who help advance LSC’s mission. It includes three groups:
• Shepherd Giving Society: Donors who give $1,000+ annually, and Golden Staff lifetime members who’ve contributed $50,000+ (individuals) or $100,000+ (organizations).
• Shepherd Legacy Society: Individuals who include LSC in their estate plans, ensuring long-term impact.
• Shepherd Volunteer Society: Volunteers who give 100+ hours per year, directly supporting LSC’s ministries.
Welcome to the following new Shepherd Society members who have joined LSC since May 2025:
• Anonymous (1)
• Craig & Millie Brandt
• Gail B. Carter
• Mary Ann Deaton
• Miriam Fleshman
• Foundation for a Healthy Carolina, Charlotte, NC
• Christine & Bob Gatewood
• Mitchell & Judith Hagler
• Home Mission Foundation, Salisbury, NC
• Susan Lessner
• Marcia & Charles Lindler
• Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, MD
• Kristen Meetze
• Carolee Osborne
• Key and Penny Powell Endowment Fund of Central Carolina Community Foundation, Columbia, SC
• Reid & Laura Russell
• John Saad
• SC Women of the ELCA, Anderson, SC
• Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Schowalter
• Shandon Baptist Church, Columbia, SC
• Jennifer Shook
• St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC
• St. Michael Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA, Greenville, SC
• Jennifer Terry-Baker
• Rachel Turner
• Washington Street United Methodist Church, Columbia, SC
• Louise & Irving Welchons Donor Advised Fund of Schwab Charitable Fund, San Francisco, CA
• Westminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC
• Bob White
• Amy Wilson Donor Advised Fund of the U.S. Charitable Gift Trust, Indianapolis, IN
To all Shepherd Society members:
Please be on the lookout for your invitation to a regional thank you dinner or lunch. LSC is so grateful for your partnership in providing abundant living to all we serve. For more information about the Shepherd Society, contact LSC Director of Development Emily Dubay at edubay@lscarolinas.net.
LSC forms new partnership to launch Leading Care Pharmacy
LSC has partnered to relaunch its LSA Pharmacy, Inc., as Leading Care Pharmacy (LCP). This transformation marks a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to delivering advanced, resident-centered pharmaceutical care.
Leading Care Pharmacy is a partnership between LSC and Neil Medical Group, a long-term care pharmacy that serves 80 health care communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, and Georgia.
As part of the relaunch, LCP is introducing a suite of innovative services designed to improve medication accuracy, reduce waste, and support clinical care and education across its communities:
• The Smart Pass Medication Delivery System packages medications in clearly labeled plastic pouches. Delivered weekly to each nursing station, this system has already been proven to reduce medication waste and costs by up to 15%.
• To ensure accuracy and efficiency, nursing teammates will electronically scan each pouch, instantly matching medications to the resident. This barcode-enabled process simplifies the medication pass and enhances safety.
• In emergencies, new, automated emergency medication storage devices will provide quicker access to a broader range of medications, while electronically tracking each dose removed.
• LCP is also preparing to launch a sterile infusion-compounding cleanroom, which will allow the pharmacy to prepare infusion medications inhouse. Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) professionals will offer
Pharmacy teammates Kaitlyn Smith and Rashida Price work with the automated packaging device that produces the Smart Pass pouches.
Lynn Kirk Joins LSC as NC State Foster Care Director
Lynn Kirk
LSC’s North Carolina Foster Care team recently welcomed Lynn Kirk, an accomplished social services professional, as its new state director.
With a 30-plus-year career in child welfare, Kirk has seen foster care from virtually every angle. She has worked for county and state government agencies, in the private sector, and for other nonprofits providing foster care services.
Kirk spent 15 years overseeing Child Protective Services investigations and in-home and foster care services. She also provided oversight, supervision, and program development and training for therapeutic foster care services in eastern North Carolina.
In addition, Kirk was an Alliance Behav-
specialized training to support this enhanced service.
To keep teammates informed, LCP has introduced two educational resources: the bimonthly Pharm-Notes newsletter, offering updates on medication therapies and regulations, and the monthly Clinical Capsule brochure, a quick-read guide on key medication topics tailored for nursing teams.
“We are excited at Leading Care Pharmacy to implement the new Smart Pass system for medication dispensing,” said David Beam, Pharmacy Manager. “The new system will reduce the time needed to pass medications at the facility and allow the nursing teammates more time to spend on patient care. It will also help to reduce medication waste by reducing the amount of medication sent to the facilities and, therefore, reduce the overall cost of medications.”
The new system has already been implemented in eight of LSC’s 11 communities, with the rest coming online by September 30, 2025. Nurses have reported saving up to 50% on the time it takes to complete a med pass! This time savings will allow nurses to spend more time meeting resident needs.
“Most health care communities still deliver meds the way we did it back in the 1970s,” said LSC President Ted Goins. “LSC’s vision of abundant living includes doing what’s best for the residents, which includes the combination of quality, safety, technology, and innovation. It’s The LSC Way!”
ioral Healthcare program evaluator monitoring Medicaid compliance — and she was a program monitor/consultant for the North Carolina Department of Social Services, evaluating county DSS Child Welfare programs for quality and compliance with state regulations.
Originally from central New York, Kirk has lived almost exclusively in North Carolina since 1996. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Fredonia.
Lynn Kirk cares deeply about her work. She says, “I believe it is the right of every child to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment where they feel loved and have a sense of belonging.”
Seven Loyal Teammates Honored
Each year, LSC’s Loyal Service Award recognizes teammates who fulfill our mission by serving clients and residents in a truly extraordinary way. Seven deserving individuals received this peer-nominated award for 2025. Their awards were presented at a luncheon held on June 19 at Trinity Oaks senior living community in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Congratulations to the following winners:
ED MCNEILL
CNA, GlenFlora
With more than 40 years of service, Ed McNeill is a pillar of dedication at GlenFlora. He was nominated by Executive Director Austin Locklear.
“Ed leads by example,” said Locklear. “He goes above and beyond for all the residents, and they love when Ed is assigned to them. Ed has a sincere heart, and it is evident in the care he gives.”
McNeill is beloved by teammates and residents alike, and he still finds time to drive a school bus for Robeson County, bringing that same warmth to the children he serves.
KARRY
WHITE
Crisis Program Support Manager, SC Host Homes Program
Karry White joined LSC in 2009 and has been a steady presence ever since. He was nominated by South Carolina Host Homes Director Stephanie Coleman.
“Karry works with and for everyone,” said Coleman. “He goes beyond the call of duty. He is highly respected, reliable, and always willing to lend a helpful hand. He is also a well-known church leader and speaker; our clients fondly call him ‘Preacher Man.’”
White embodies all seven of LSC’s core values: Collaboration, Compassion, Excellence, Faith, Integrity, Justice, and Respect.
SONYA
WHITE
LPN, Trinity Oaks health and rehab
Sonya White has been part of the LSC family since 2004. She was nominated by Director of Nursing Beverly Smith.
“Sonya feels called to serve and love others no matter where she goes,” Smith said. “When she clocks in each day, Sonya thinks about how she can bring joy to residents, their family members, and teammates. She leads our evening team with grace.”
White is also deeply involved in her community, supporting veterans, seniors, and women in need. She improves the lives of everyone she meets.
CATHEY WHITLEY
PCA, Trinity at Home
Cathey Whitley has been with Trinity at Home in Salisbury since 2019. She was nominated by Community Outreach Coordinator Teresa Dakins.
Leaders from Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) recently presented the 2025 Loyal Service Award to several teammates for their outstanding dedication. Front row, from left: award recipients Quincy Walker of Trinity Elms health and rehab in Clemmons; Karry White of LSC’s South Carolina Host Homes program, based in Columbia; Jimmy Primo of Aston Park in Asheville; Cathey Whitley of Trinity at Home in Salisbury; Sonya White of Trinity Oaks health and rehab in Salisbury; and Allen Fisher of Leading Care Pharmacy in Salisbury. Back row: LSC President and CEO Ted W. Goins, Jr., and LSC Board Chair Doug Nelson. Not pictured: award recipient Ed McNeill of GlenFlora in Lumberton.
E A Legacy of Love Betty Willis’s Gift to the Future
very powerful story begins with a simple decision. For Betty Willis, that decision was to make a difference — one that would echo far beyond her lifetime. Through her thoughtful generosity, Betty named Lutheran Services Carolinas as the sole beneficiary of her life insurance policy. Year after year, she faithfully paid the premiums, ensuring her legacy would one day support a cause close to her heart.
When Betty passed away in 2023, her vision became reality. LSC received the almost $1 million gift, designated to launch a new senior community or revitalize existing ones in key areas. Her foresight and compassion will enrich the lives of countless seniors for generations to come.
Betty’s story is a shining example of
how one person’s planning can create a lasting impact. Whether for family or a cherished cause, more and more people are choosing to shape the future through legacy giving.
With our trusted partner, FreeWill, you can:
• Create a will for free
• Provide clarity and care for your loved ones
• Support the causes that matter to you Start your legacy today at https:// FreeWill.com/LSC.
Already included LSC in your plans? Let us thank you at https://FreeWill. com/Record/LSC.
QUESTIONS?
Reach out to Director of Development Emily Dubay at Edubay@lscarolinas.net or 704.775.2303.
“Cathey is one in a million,” Dakins said. “She remembers every birthday, sings with clients, and decorates their homes for the holidays. Families love her, and her teammates look up to her. I tell Cathey weekly how thankful we are for her.”
Whitley juggles many family responsibilities outside of work. But she always shows up for her clients with a smile and unmatched kindness.
JIMMY PRIMO CNA, Aston Park
For a decade, Jimmy Primo has brought dedication and empathy to his role at Aston Park. He was nominated by Director of Nursing Amanda Mackey.
“Jimmy’s connection with our residents is remarkable,” Mackey said. “He knows what they need even when they can’t say it. Families trust him completely.”
Primo’s compassion extends beyond the workplace; he cares for his mother and son also. He is a powerful example of grace in action.
ALLEN FISHER Pharmacist, Leading Care Pharmacy
Allen Fisher has been a trusted presence at Leading Care Pharmacy for 20 years. His nominator, Office Manager Sherron Ellis, described him as calm, helpful, and deeply reliable.
Pharmacy Manager David Beam added, “Allen has always been willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. I have never met a more dedicated professional in the pursuit of excellence.”
Though Fisher is quiet by nature, his positive spirit and dedication have made a lasting impact on his teammates and those he serves.
QUINCY WALKER
Dietary Aide, Trinity Elms health and rehab
Quincy Walker joined Trinity Elms in 2023 and quickly became a favorite of both residents and teammates. He was nominated by Dining Services Manager Kristen Salkeld.
“Quincy creates an environment where others feel supported and confident in their roles,” said Salkeld. “New teammates learn quickly thanks to his thoughtful, patient approach. And his energy is contagious. He brings joy to every shift.”
Outside of work, Walker plays in his church band and sits with homebound seniors. His generosity, compassion, and dedication reflect a true servant’s heart.
These seven teammates represent the best of LSC: heart-led, mission-driven, and deeply committed. They embody the vision of John 10:10: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
To our 2025 Loyal Service Award winners: thank you for the abundance you bring to our communities every day.
Betty Willis
What is a refugee ?
Vladimir, a client in LSC’s New Americans Program, wrote this story about his experience as a refugee.
My name is Vladimir, and despite being a Nicaraguan citizen, I cannot go back to the country that saw me grow and achieve a professional career.
In 2018, after being consecutively reelected three times against the Constitution of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega unleashed a fiery persecution against everyone who opposed his ideas and his presidency.
We, Nicaraguans, saw students killed in the streets, medical attention denied to those wounded by the repression, media outlets confiscated to prevent the truth from being known, and journalists silenced, jailed, and pushed to flee the country for their own safety.
I built my journalistic career for 13 years, and at that time, I, like many others, had to erase my name from every single publication to prevent persecution. We lived in fear, and on September 18, 2021, I decided to leave the country to travel to Spain to seek refuge.
The dictatorship confiscated my passport that morning. They told me I wasn’t allowed to travel because I said bad things about “their government” and showed me
my Twitter account as proof of publications from several years back.
Scared of the possibility of imprisonment, I crossed the border to Costa Rica with only a backpack that, I would later realize, was empty. I was recommended to seek refuge. I tried so hard to continue my travel, contacting embassies, NGOs, and everyone I could think of, with no luck. Six months later, I gave up; I realized my life would have to continue in that country.
In 2023, the United Nations Agency for Refugees called us and offered the possibil -
ity to come to the United States through a resettlement process that, they warned us, could take up to two years to complete.
We went through the vetting process and interviews, sent proof of everything I said, and on May 22, 2024, my wife and I arrived in the United States with my then 8-month-old baby. Life has been good since.
When I arrived in the United States, the staff of Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) welcomed me. They offered a smile, accommodations, and a way for me and my family to get jobs, food, and medical attention.
It’s been 11 months since we arrived, and we’ve seen the kindness of people, we’ve gone to so many places in North Carolina, and met so many people. We are thankful for all the people we’ve met in this process, and we are so eager to give back to this community and to whomever we can in the United States.
As I mentioned before, my name is Vladimir; I am a refugee like 31.6 million other people in this world. As the United Nations defines it, a refugee is a person who seeks protection in another country after having to leave their own as a consequence of wars, persecution, and other reasons.
We cannot go back to our countries and we are happy for the life that we have here in the United States.
LSC Celebrates World Refugee Day 2025
Clients, teammates, volunteers, and friends of LSC’s New Americans Programs marked World Refugee Day 2025 with a variety of fun activities. The United Nations established World Refugee Day on June 20 to celebrate and honor refugees from around the world.
In Columbia, teammates, volunteers, and clients held a big celebration replete with international treats, crafts, children’s activities, and a visit from a friendly camel!
In Raleigh, LSC partnered with the city and two nonprofit partners — the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and Refugee Hope Partners — to host a soccer tournament.
In Charleston, teammates and clients attended a Charleston Battery soccer match.
In Salisbury, clients and teammates had a picnic in the park at Bell
Tower Green.
Ahead of Her Time
Octogenarian Barbara Maklansky
reflects on a
life balancing career, travel, and family
Raising a child as a single mother is challenging even today. Imagine raising four as a single mother in the 1950s and ’60s — and balancing a successful career and multi-state travel to boot.
Aston Park resident Barbara Maklansky did it all.
A STORYBOOK START
Born Barbara Earle in 1936 to a West Texas oilman and his wife, Maklansky relocated with her parents as a teen to Boulder, Colorado. There, she met Don, her high school sweetheart. They were a popular couple, and Maklansky was well-known as a gifted soprano with striking good looks.
“For many years, people would come up to me and say, ‘I know you; you sang at my wedding!’ I couldn’t even keep track of all the weddings I’d done,” she laughed. “My favorite wedding songs were ‘Because’ (a song made famous by Perry Como) and ‘Ave Maria.’” (Scan the QR code at right for a sample of Maklansky’s singing.)
Like many of her generation, Maklansky married young. She and Don tied the knot at the tender age of 19. By age 24, she had four children: Don Jr., Bobby, David, and Suzanne.
“We called them the Stair Steps because they were so close in age,” Maklansky recalled.
Scan for a video of Barbara Maklansky and her daughter singing Nat King Cole’s #1 hit, “Too Young,” from 1951.
MAKING THE MOST OF HER TALENTS
The Ozzie and Harriet life didn’t last, however. Not long after their daughter was born, the couple separated, and Maklansky found herself the main caretaker and provider for four young children. Fortunately for all involved, she possessed beauty, “the gift of gab,” and fierce determination.
At the time, convenience foods were on the rise, and the Boulder-Denver area was
a popular hub for product testing. Maklansky leveraged this by “talking myself right into a job” selling frozen bread dough as a spokesmodel.
“I sold more bread than anyone else in Denver!” she recalled.
“I was very fortunate,” Maklansky noted. “My parents and sister were wonderful. They helped raise the kids while I built my career.”
Maklansky’s beauty and grace were soon in high demand, and she found herself traveling all over the United States for Arlene Dahl and Helene Curtis wigs. Eventually, she worked her way up to vice president of promotions at Helene Curtis headquarters, and the family relocated to Chicago.
Along the way, she married for a second time and relocated to Kansas, but that relationship also was not meant to be. And so, on New Year’s Eve of 1986, with a successful career and her children grown, Maklansky found herself at a party with a friend.
THE THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM
She looked across the crowded room and saw a handsome widower: Dr. Daniel “Danny” Maklansky, a prominent radiologist at New York’s famous Mount Sinai Hospital. Her friend introduced them, and the rest was kismet.
“He was the love of my life,” she said.
Aston Park resident Barbara Maklansky raised four children as a mostly single, working mother in the 1950s and 1960s. Here, she reminisces with her daughter Suzanne Dooley.
Barbara Maklansky in her modeling days.
“Fran’s Place” welcomes New Americans to Salisbury
Excitement filled the air at the end of May as teammates and volunteers began moving furniture into the brand-new Salisbury New Americans Program Welcome House. This heartfelt project was made possible through the Be The Light campaign for North Carolina.
Fran’s Place is named in honor of Fran Hoke, a beloved donor and longtime supporter of LSC whose legacy of compassion continues to shine.
The house will serve as a refugee transitional living home for families and individuals as they become acclimated to the United States.
“We are deeply grateful to all the supporters and volunteers who helped turn this vision into reality,” LSC President and CEO Ted Goins said. “Fran’s Place is more than just a place to live—it’s a symbol of hope, hospitality, and new beginnings for our newest neighbors.”
Special thanks to BSA Troop/ Crew 448 of Salisbury for assisting with the move-in.
The couple married several years later and remained happily so until Danny’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2019.
“That was such a difficult time,” recalled Maklansky’s daughter, Suzanne Dooley.
Maklansky was still reeling from the death of her son Bobby and grandson Jaden in a car accident at the time Danny grew ill. Then, just a couple of years after Danny’s passing, Maklansky lost her son David to a heart attack.
A NEW STAGE OF LIFE
Still grieving these losses, in 2022 Maklansky moved to Asheville to be closer to Dooley. The following year, a series of falls and broken bones necessitated the move to Aston Park.
“It’s a quieter life now,” Maklansky said. Although she has some memory issues, she is comfortably ensconced in life at Aston Park.
When asked about the family’s experience there, Dooley noted, “I have been around senior care for years — first as a teen volunteer,
then as a Certified Nurse Assistant, and later teaching music and art at a hospice house. The culture at Aston Park is better than anywhere I’ve ever seen. It’s truly phenomenal.”
LSC and Aston Park are equally delighted by the association. Everyone speaks fondly of Maklansky, and residents and teammates alike enjoy the delicious, homemade Sunday dinners Dooley has provided for the past few months.
Connections like these put the care in “senior care community.”
Cultivating Joy at Work
Tracy Walters receives 2024 You Are the Key Award
Each year, LSC’s child and family services recognizes one exceptional teammate with the You Are the Key Award. The distinction honors a teammate who embodies all the qualities of our customer service program, The LSC Way: leading by example, serving joyfully, communicating consistently, welcoming all, and ensuring abundant living.
In 2024, the You Are the Key Award went to Refugee Support Services (RSS) Case Manager Tracy Walters of LSC’s New Americans Program in Asheville, North Carolina. Walters was nominated by her Columbia, South Carolina, colleague Tabatha Burch.
“Tracy is everything that is The LSC Way,” Burch explained. “She leads by example and she’s the first to volunteer with a smile. Tracy is kind, cheerful, caring, wise –all that and more! Even plants thrive under her care.”
We spoke with Walters not long after significant changes to the federal budget impacted U.S. refugee resettlement programs, leading to layoffs of refugee workers, including those at LSC. Despite the shock and sadness of losing multiple colleagues, Walters was calm, grateful, and joyous discussing her work. We asked her how she maintains her positive focus in challenging times.
Refugee Support Services Case Manager
Tracy Walters of LSC’s Asheville New Americans Program received the You Are the Key Award for 2024. She is shown outside the team’s office at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
“I earned my master’s degree in counseling from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado,” said Walters. “Buddhists found-
LSC hosted the Lutheran Services in America Disability Network in Raleigh July 30-31. Lutheran agencies from across the country attended the two-day meeting. Many attendees arrived early on July 29 to tour our Building Independence program and meet our teammates and two residents. The tour was a highlight of the meeting. Over the two meeting days, attendees heard speakers from the Serving Cup, NC Housing and Finance Agency, and leaders in advocacy for the disability population.
ed it, and that was reflected in my program, which included meditation classes. My meditation practice still helps me stay calm during challenging situations.”
“Naropa taught me that it’s okay to not always have the answers,” added Walters. “That helps me deal with the uncertainty of my work. I also learned how to listen and cultivate healthy boundaries. I use these skills every day at LSC.”
At the time of this writing, Walters has a caseload of 48 clients, not including children. Walters says most are self-sufficient, but occasionally she must remind herself not to step in too quickly.
“Ideally, as case managers, we help clients tap into their own intelligence,” she said.
Walters’s favorite aspect of the job, other than watching her clients flourish, is interacting with teammates. The Asheville New Americans Program is smaller than it once was, but Walters and her former colleagues still keep in touch.
“We have a very special team in Asheville. The leadership here is a big factor, and another is The LSC Way. The values of this organization permeate the team. At this point in my career, I want purpose, camaraderie, big-time fun, and humor. I have found all those things at LSC – and we communicate that to clients too.”
A“Tiny Little Miracle” at Trinity Village
Sharon Benfield, life enrichment director at LSC’s Trinity Village senior care community in Hickory, North Carolina, shared this heartwarming true story written by Claudia Earle, daughter of resident Rev. Dr. Pat Earle.
Asmall yet significant miracle happened on April 22, 2025, in the chapel of Trinity Village. A baby was baptized. That alone is a beautiful miracle. But this particular baptism was especially miraculous because of the relationships of the participants with the child, ten-week-old Elizabeth Nanney, and their relationships with Trinity Village. Retired Episcopal priest the Rev. Dr. Pat Earle, a 94-year-old resident of Trinity Village and great-grandmother of Elizabeth, performed the baptism. She was assisted by her son-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Andrew F. Weisner, an LSC Board of Advisors member.
Elizabeth’s mother, Alexus Nanney, a CNA at Trinity Village, and her father Austin Nan-
ney presented Elizabeth for baptism.
Elizabeth’s baptism will be registered at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Hickory. Approximately 40 family and friends from many denominations gathered to welcome this new child of God into the Church and participate in the other great sacrament of Holy Eucharist. Representing the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, the Rev. Karla Woggon presided for the Eucharist.
Rev. Woggon often ends her dismissal in church with a quote from Henri Amiel, from 1868: “Life is short and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So be swift to love and make haste to be kind. And the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you now and always. Amen.”
We are never too old to make a difference in the lives and gladden the hearts of others. This was clear in the miraculous way in which Pat Earle touched the life of her great-granddaughter, as she has blessed and
continues to bless the lives of three generations of children and grandchildren, and the lives of others who are touched by her ministry.
(Lutheran Services for the Aging, Inc.)
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Salisbury, North Carolina 28145
Phone: 704-637-2870
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LSC’s Publishes “Culinary Togetherness” Cookbook
Imagine a single, delicious volume that reflects the rich tapestry of cultures at LSC. Now put on your apron, line up your ingredients, and imagine no more — because LSC’s Culinary Togetherness Cookbook is hot off the presses.
Inside are over 100 mouthwatering recipes from LSC teammates, residents, and friends. There are Southern classics, including Cheryl Goins’s Pimento Cheese, Ambrosia Salad, Hush Puppies, and Sweet Potato Pie, as well as recipes from around the world, such as Puerto Rican Pernil (pork roast), Finnish Meatloaf, Lithuanian Meatballs, and Kruschiki (Polish bow-tie cookies).
To view or download the cookbook, scan the QR code at right.
