Giving Back to Those Who Give

When Susan Martin and her husband John moved into a cottage at Asbury Solomons in 2019, they were seeking more than a place to live and beautiful surroundings. They wanted a sense of community. Within six weeks of arriving, Susan learned just how remarkable that community could be.

John suffered a heart attack, leaving Susan juggling hospital visits and a luncheon she had promised to help organize for a family who lost a loved one. Before she could worry, neighbors stepped in. “They just took over that commitment so I could focus on John,” Susan recalls. “Let me walk your dog. I’ll coordinate the lunch. We’d only been here six weeks, and everyone pitched in. That’s true community.”

Giving with Gratitude

That spirit of giving has shaped Susan’s own philanthropy. A retired research scientist, she has long supported causes through her church and through gifts and fundraising efforts for Alzheimer’s research, but at Solomons, she found new opportunities to give back, especially to the associates who make life there so wonderful.

When her friends and fellow residents, Doug and Sara Fraley, set out to create an Associate Appreciation Fund endowment, Susan knew she wanted to join them. She stepped forward, making a five-year pledge to help fully fund the endowment.

“The associates are our family,” she says. “They’re so caring, and this fund is our way of showing appreciation since we can’t give tips. It lets them know they are seen and valued.”

Susan has also created a Lasting Legacy estate gift that will support future associates.  Her other passions include benevolent care, the Go Green Committee’s environmental efforts and associate scholarships, for which she has a deep affection. 

Susan cites three of the most recent scholarship recipients as examples of the impact it makes on associates: a young woman pursuing her degree in health administration, a maintenance associate studying HVAC, and another team member who became certified in Qigong and now teaches classes for residents. “They are working to better themselves,” Susan says. “My hope is that they’ll stay and use their skills here at Solomons.”

Living a Life of Service and Joy

Susan’s generosity shows up not only in her giving, but also in the many ways she gets involved. She volunteers at Betty’s Closet, an on-campus thrift store that benefits benevolent care, helps with the community’s silent auction, and works with the Four Seasons, a group of residents who visit and deliver gifts and cards to residents in assisted living and skilled nursing; and has chaired the resident dining committee.

Alongside her volunteer work, Susan makes space for the activities she loves. She takes water aerobics three times a week, goes kayaking with John—often inspiring others to give it a try—and has discovered a creative outlet in quilting.

Susan is a cheerful giver at heart. “I’m proud of my humble beginnings, and grateful that the work I loved gave me the chance to retire comfortably and give back,” she says. “As many folks recognize, giving always seems to give even more back to the benefactor.”