Three Ripples of Love

Great waves start with tiny ripples. In Watermark communities, we celebrate our own kind of Ripples: meaningful, personal interactions that create a story that is re-told over time, creating our culture and bringing our vision to life. Associates are encouraged to seize every opportunity to make a difference. While each Ripple is different, one thing remains consistent — they're all based in love.

The Way to Any Person’s Heart. Everybody deserves a personal welcome when moving into a new community. Having a dish named for you takes it to a whole new level. Team members at The Watermark at Continental Ranch were scratching their heads over how they could help newcomer Gloria relax and feel at home. The culinary wizards had the answer. They found out what Gloria’s favorite breakfast was and served it in the dining room as the special dish of the day. More than that, they named it for her. Gloria was thrilled with her taste of celebrity and met other residents as a result. That Ripple started a new tradition.

Now the Welcome Home Residents Meal helps each new resident feel at home. Shortly after moving in, the newcomer’s favorite meal is featured as the dish of the day. It’s a fun, tasty way of helping people connect.

Heroes & Friends for Life. Twice a month, van driver Brian Slocum transports Cal, a resident at The Fountains at Millbrook, to an unmissable appointment. After 50 years as a volunteer firefighter, Cal regularly gets the special treatment he deserves. The younger firefighters at the local fire station provide lunch to honor the achievements of former firefighters, some of them up to 95 years old. Everybody shares the meal to catch up, swap stories, and enjoy every minute together. 

Brian, who has always lived in the Millbrook, New York, area, loves spending time with Cal and other people who have been vital to his community. Brian and Cal have become close and have plenty in common — Brian’s aunt and Cal even went to school together — and these lunches are meaningful to everyone.

“It’s an honor to spend time with these people,” Brian says. “Firefighters share a special bond from their experiences. They mean so much to our community. I’m proud to be their friend.”

And the Ripples Keep Coming. Every workplace sets professional standards for respectful and courteous behavior. Ripples are acts of kindness and connection that can’t be mandated. They flow naturally from good hearts and inspiring settings, and we see them every day in our communities.