The Heart of Our Community: PPH Volunteers
April is National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize the important role volunteers play in strengthening nonprofit organizations and communities. At PPH, volunteers contribute in many ways, helping support operations while enhancing daily life for residents.
Volunteers in Action
Volunteer contributions — both big and small — help support residents, departments and programs.
“The generosity of our volunteers supports residents and staff in many ways and allows us to direct more resources toward programs and improvements that benefit
the entire community,” said Bill Conaway, Director of Community
and Volunteer Engagement. “It also helps PPH invest in special projects, campus improvements and initiatives that support employee retention and strengthen our team.”
Some PPH volunteers serve as cashiers, helping to create a welcoming experience for residents and guests as they browse for items at the Gift Shop or Tabor Market. Others help transport residents to activities, appointments and events throughout campus, while some assist with mail delivery — ensuring packages reach the proper destination.
Volunteers - Continued on page 3
PPH recognized as a 'High Performing' Nursing Home
PPH has earned a “High Performing” designation in LongTerm Care from U.S. News & World Report, the highest distinction awarded to skilled nursing communities.
The designation recognizes nursing homes that significantly outperform national averages in key areas including patient outcomes, staffing levels and quality measures. This recognition highlights the exceptional care provided at Pathways Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
“We are incredibly proud of the team at PPH and the compassionate care they provide every day,” said Kelli Mills, Vice President of Operations at EverTrue, PPH’s management partner. “Receiving a High Performing rating from U.S. News & World Report reflects the dedication, professionalism and heart our team members bring to supporting residents and their families.”
Pathways Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center provides short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing care and personalized support services designed to promote healing and independence
This recognition reflects PPH’s ongoing commitment to providing a caring senior living community where residents can achieve their highest possible quality of life.
Volunteer Mary Bargerhuff decorates the PPH Gift Shop for Easter.
Stories and life experiences from the Women of PPH
This March, PPH honored the incredible women in our community as part of the 2026 theme, “Leading the Change! Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”
Four programs were held throughout the month, featuring women who shared stories spanning a wide range of careers and life experiences — from the fire hydrants on the streets of Philadelphia to the villages of Africa and Germany during WWII. Their experiences reached from local neighborhoods such as Port Richmond, West Philly and Olney to places across the country and around the world, including Pittsburgh, St. Louis, North Carolina, North Tonawanda, Schenectady, Australia, Ghana and Berlin.
The panels included nurses representing more than 70 years of experience — from one who graduated nursing school in 1954 to another who is still practicing today — along with women who built careers in education, social services and beyond. Many also balanced their professional lives with raising families, taking on the cherished roles of Mom and Grandmom.
To learn more about each presenter’s story and life experiences, including a fourth program held after REACH’s print deadline, visit our Facebook page or the Blog section of the PPH website.
The women behind the menu!
In recognition of Women's History Month, PPH's Culinary team held a special pop-up event featuring our talented women chefs!
Chef Darlyne Louis, PPH Dietician Alyssa Jacullo and Chef Phyllis Pedrogo (pictured on page 3 as PPH's Employee of the Month!) all shared their delicious creations, much to the delight of our residents!
Clockwise, from top left: First row - Carol StarlingLove, Barbara Curry and Kathy Callaghan with Women's History Month committee member Sylvia Metzler; Elaine Grose and Marlene Matarazzo. Second row, a panel of nurses - Lucille Hite, Therese Connolly, Barbara Capezio, Lisa Bowman and Sherry Slutz. Third Row - Christa Breyer with family.
Chicken Finger Quesadillas from Chef Phyllis, Crispy Salmon Bites with Aioli from Chef Darlyne and Beet Hummus from Chef Alyssa.
Some also lend their time in the PPH Greenhouse, helping care for plants and assisting with seasonal gardening projects that bring beauty throughout the 13-acre campus.
The Benefits of Giving Back
Volunteering not only benefits PPH — it can also be incredibly rewarding for the volunteer. Even just a few hours a week can lead to building connections with neighbors and learning new skills.
“I enjoy meeting people that come in,” said Gateway resident Peg McFadden, who volunteers in Tabor Market. “It's a great way to get to know different people from the other IL buildings.”
Studies have also shown that volunteering can help reduce stress,
improve mental well-being and encourage people to stay active and engaged — mentally and physically.
“Volunteering gives me something to do some days, gets me out of my apartment and is an opportunity to mingle with others,” added Gateway resident Pat McHugh, who helps transport residents and with administrative mailings.
In fact, for some external community members, their experiences at PPH have been so positive that they eventually chose to make PPH their home, while some retired team members have gone on to become volunteers, such as Mary Bargerhuff (pictured on page1).
Interested in Volunteering?
If you have a few hours to spare and are looking for a way to give back, consider becoming a PPH volunteer.
There are many ways to get involved — with opportunities and schedules that can fit your availability.
“The time our volunteers give truly makes a lasting impact,” Bill added. “Their support helps our residents, staff and community thrive every day.”
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Bill Conaway, Director of Community and Volunteer Engagement, at 215-697-8031 or wconaway@pphfamily.org.
National Volunteer Month
PPH will celebrate National Volunteer Month with our annual Volunteer Luncheon on Tuesday, April 28 at 12 noon in the Social Hall. All current PPH volunteers are invited to attend — additional details will be shared soon.
Entertainment at PPH – Song, dance and St. Patty's Day cheer
Employee of the Month: Phyllis Pedrogo - Culinary Services
Congratulations to longtime PPH team member Phyllis Pedrogo on being named Employee of the Month!
Phyllis is a dedicated team member in Culinary Services, and consistently goes above and beyond to create a welcoming environment. We're truly grateful for her warmth, professionalism and the difference she makes every day.
Volunteer of the Month: Maxine Littlepage
Congratulations to Lawndale resident Maxine Littlepage, our April Volunteer of the Month!
Always reliable, Maxine has been a tremendous help in the PPH Gift Shop — whether she’s cashiering or offering thoughtful suggestions to enhance the space.
Maxine, thank you for your dedication and willingness to lend a hand!
Above left, Nancie Sanderson performs some Irish Tunes on St. Patrick's Day as PPH residents Stan and Virtner enjoy the show along with some refreshments. Above right, residents Dorothy and Charles share a dance as entertainer Marcus Chaney sings during a Friday afternoon performance.
Reflections — The Pursuit of Truth
Have you ever seen a TV show, or in person, a witness swearing “to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” But what is absolute, total truth? In this day of social media, biased news media, and AI, a lot of what we see can be the result of generated deep fake videos/images and plausible false information, opposed to truth. We cannot believe all that we see, hear or read.
offer wisdom that remains strikingly practical and relevant today. Even now, despite our best efforts to distinguish truth from falsehoods, we can still mistake misinformation for fact.
Allow me to share with you one of Augustine’s writings about truth and where it may be found:
the council each seeks is different. The answer you give is clear, but not all hear it clearly. All ask you whatever they wish to ask, but the answer they receive is not always what they want to hear. The man who serves you best is the one who is less intent on hearing from you what he wills to hear than on shaping his will according to what he hears from you”. Augustine, Confessions 10, 26.
I’ve been recently reading some profound gems of wisdom and truth penned by St. Augustine of Hippo, the great Doctor of the Latin Church. Born in 354 AD, he wrote the Confessions in his 40s following his conversion to Christianity. Many of his prayers and meditations
A Day of Wellness
“Where, then, did I find you so that I could learn of you? For you were not in my memory before I learned of you. Where else, then did I find you, to learn of you, unless it was in yourself, above me? Whether we approach you or depart from you, you are not confined in any place. You are truth, and you are everywhere present where all seek counsel of you. You reply to all at once, though
Join us for a special Wellness Symposium hosted by the PPH Wellness and Aquatics team on Friday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will be held in PPH's ACE Courtyard (Social Hall in the case of inclement weather).
Explore a wide range of local and regional vendors focused on nutrition, fitness, senior services, home care, community health and more. Take part in line dancing, engaging activities and blood pressure screenings, while discovering helpful resources to support your health and wellbeing. Light refreshments will be served.
For a list of vendors and more information, please see PPH bulletin boards and PPH channel 2 later this month. Interested vendors should contact Wellness Center Director
Maureen Solomon at 215-697-8007 or msolomon@pphfamily.org.
I encourage you to, like Augustine, seek the truth of the Scriptures; focus on divine wisdom, not human understanding. Allow the truth of the Scriptures to heal you, bring you to God, and align your heart and will with His truth that will bring you to an eternity with Him.
In Truth and Love, Linda C. Lewis Chaplain
THE PPH MISSION
Guided by Christian values, the mission of The Philadelphia Protestant Home is to provide a caring senior living community that affords its residents the opportunity to achieve their highest possible quality of life.