A Legacy Rooted in Action: Jim and Sandy Jones’ Passion to Make Bethany Village a Model of Sustainability
Published: November 24, 2025
When Jim and Sandy Jones moved to Bethany Village in 2015, they brought with them a lifelong devotion to environmental stewardship, and a shared belief that even the smallest steps can ignite lasting change.
Jim, a respected pediatrician and social advocate, passed away in 2023. Yet his voice, vision, and dream (to make Bethany Village a model of sustainability) continue to echo through Sandy and the community they helped inspire. “If we don’t take care of the environment, nothing else is going to matter,” Jim often said.
That conviction laid the foundation for the Bethany Village Sustainability Endowment, a legacy gift designed to fuel local solutions for global challenges. Their dream: a green campus powered by solar energy, rooted in healthy soil, producing nourishing food, and serving as an example for other senior living communities.
“For us, supporting Bethany Village was simply an extension of the life we were already living,” Sandy reflects. “This is our home, and we want it to be the best and most wonderful place to live.”
From Peace Gardens to Solar Panels
The couple’s environmental journey took root in 1979, shortly after the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. That night, Jim dreamed of missiles flying over Harrisburg. The dream became a call to action. He soon joined the movement to halt the spread and use of nuclear weapons.
Jim helped launch the Hershey chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, part of the Nobel Peace Prize–winning International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. Jim and Sandy shared ideas at a peace conference in Moscow, and after a meeting in Hiroshima, they returned home to transform city blocks in Harrisburg into a thriving Peace Garden. Their work extended across cultures, countries, and causes.”
When they arrived at Bethany Village, there was no active Ecology Group. With other like-minded residents, Jim and Sandy grew it into a hub for education, action, and advocacy.
“Jim dreamed of bringing solar power to Bethany,” Sandy recalls. “We started small. Little by little, more people joined in.”
Giving That Reflects a Life of Purpose
The Joneses’ generosity extended far beyond sustainability. Their support has touched nearly every part of campus life from the Care Assurance Fund to capital projects like John & Annie’s Bistro and Clyde’s Pub, spaces that have become natural gathering spots.
“Watching the Bistro come alive was such a joy,” Sandy says. “Every Friday night, residents fill the room. It’s not just a place to eat; it’s where people connect.”
Sandy continues to carry forward their vision. She remains active with the Ecology Group, leads sustainability efforts, and gives generously to causes that bring lasting change. Today, the first solar-powered charging station on campus stands as a tangible reminder of Jim’s dream and Sandy’s determination.
Beyond advocacy, Sandy keeps a full schedule by practicing yoga and tai chi, serving on committees, volunteering at her church, and cheering on both Penn State football and Duke basketball.
Modeling a Movement for the Future
Sandy hopes their legacy gift will position Bethany Village as a national leader in senior living sustainability. “We want to be the greenest campus in the country,” she says.
She has already seen how collective action sparks transformation. A bare patch outside the Oaks, for example, has become a Healing Garden, lovingly maintained by volunteers. “That’s the power of working together,” Sandy says. “One person sees a need, others step in, and suddenly you’ve created something beautiful.”
Jim and Sandy’s legacy is more than financial. It’s a promise that their love for the planet, their community, and each other will continue shaping Bethany Village for generations.