Everybody Loves Michael!
Michael Mongan’s (front row above) leads exercise class every Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 6:30 at St. Luke’s Home. The Elders range in age from 61 to 95 and include the five women pictured above, all over the age of 90. Each Elder brings their own weights and begin showing up early to nab a chair. It is is obvious the Elders love the class and take their exercise seriously!
Michael started volunteering at St. Luke’s in 2009 as a weekend landscaping volunteer. He explained, “The ‘walker brigade,’ as I respectfully called them, would come out individually or in packs to sit in the courtyard and watch me weed and trim. They won me over with their politeness and gratitude.”
Michael first learned about St. Luke’s when he spotted an ad for a volunteer landscaper. His deep religious beliefs led him to seek out volunteer service, so he checked out St. Luke’s, and liked what he saw, especially the non-profit status. He also added, “I was always drawn to those born in the generations before me. They had values that generations which followed did not inherit.”
At some point, Michael got the idea that he could bring his 20+ years experience with working out and weight lifting to the St. Luke’s Elders. “I went home and put together a workout plan based on a seated exercise program. I approached the volunteer coordinator at the time who was very receptive to the idea and proposed it to the Elders. Their response was strong, and we launched our inaugural class on July 1, 2009,” Michael shared.
Michael’s bottom line: “The Elders do more for me than I for them. I leave each class clicking my heels. They humble me with smiles and determination. With the first group we had eight years ago, the oldest was 88. Now I have five over 90 (in picture above) with the oldest at 95. I am truly inspired.”