Community Stories

June 20, 2023

Sabrina Bortz: Volunteer of the Month

Every week, Sabrina Bortz looked forward to delivering meals to Louis. 

After she handed off his weekly meals, the two of them wandered around his immaculate gardens, talking about all his wonderful plants.

“It was so nice whenever I did his food delivery,” Sabrina said. “He took such pride in getting to share his passion with someone.”

Tropical flowers, vegetables, herbs – the Brazil native took pride in his garden, and it made his modest trailer look absolutely beautiful. 

“He has the greenest thumb I’ve ever seen! He even gave me cuttings of his Christmas cactus and some oregano, and I still have those growing in pots at home,” she said.

Sabrina is this month’s Volunteer of the Month. She has volunteered with Heart2Heart since January, and she has loved the connections she’s made with the seniors she helps. From food deliveries to seniors like Louis, to relief care and special services, it feels good to give back.

Sabrina used to work six days a week from opening to closing, running her own business. A few years ago she retired, but she wanted the chance to give back. She has always loved working with seniors because they have such great stories and have seen so much, so Heart2Heart was a great fit.

Providing relief

Most recently, Sabrina has provided relief care each Sunday for a pair of sisters. One sister is the primary caregiver for the other sister who has Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Sabrina stays with the one sister to visit and interact with her while her caregiver sister can get out of the house for a little while.

The woman Sabrina stays with loves sports and politics, so often they watch the news and sports together and talk about the woman’s fascinating life. 

The caregiving sister is so appreciative to have some time to go to church, do some grocery shopping, and sometimes even have the luxury of going to Starbucks to relax with a latte for a little while.

“There’s such a need for relief care and volunteers for our senior population,” Sabrina said. “Sometimes they just really need someone to help them go to the store, get their medicine, or bring them some food. Gosh, they need that food! And sometimes they just need someone to listen to them.”

Making friends along the way

Sometimes, some seniors have very specific needs that crop up for volunteers. Once, Sabrina spent more than 8 hours with a 69-year-old woman who lives by herself, bringing her to Miami for an eye procedure. 

She waited for her, helped calm her nerves, and brought her home after the procedure.

“That was very nice. I made a friend out of her,” Sabrina said. “Now she’ll call me and I’ll call her.”

Sabrina always sends her seniors birthday cards, Easter cards, and brings them flowers. After all, everyone should have someone think of them on their birthday, she said.

The benefits go both ways

As much as Sabrina’s service makes a difference in the lives of the seniors she serves, the act of volunteering impacts Sabrina’s life as well.

“My husband is not well,” she said. “He is ill and has dementia. It’s hard being the caretaker, but volunteering gets me out, and it feels good. It takes me out of that caretaker role in a way for a little while.” 

Sabrina urges everyone to volunteer in some capacity. It is rewarding and helps you refocus on what is truly important in life. 

“It feels so good to help, and it gives a real sense of accomplishment,” Sabrina said. “And seniors are so fun to work with. Their life experiences are interesting, and their perspectives on life are so different. They calm me.”

We’re grateful to Sabrina for her dedication and care!

Join the Team!

Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful way to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.

Heart2Heart volunteers must be background checked and trained. Our training can be completed from your home on your computer or device, through the online Volunteer Portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training.

The first step is to create an account on our Volunteer Portal. To get started, click here!

June 20, 2023

Join the Team!

Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful way to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.

Heart2Heart volunteers must be background checked and trained. Our training can be completed from your home on your computer or device, through the online Volunteer Portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training.

The first step is to create an account on our Volunteer Portal. To get started, click here!

Read more …

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

On March 15th, members of Lauderhill Seventh-Day Adventist Church and their families brought joy, creativity, and compassion to seniors at Active Senior Living and Fort Lauderdale Health and Rehab.

Through wreath-making, songs, and a Bible-based skit, they reminded residents that they are seen, loved, and never alone.

This powerful day of connection beautifully reflects Heart2Heart’s mission to restore dignity and hope to isolated seniors—one loving act at a time.

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/hearts-united-spreading-joy-love-to-seniors-2/

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

On February 22nd, Heart2Heart partnered with Parkridge Church and Community Christian Church to bring warmth and companionship to seniors across eight care facilities in Broward County.

Volunteers filled the day with heartfelt conversations, games, and meaningful connections, replacing loneliness with joy and belonging.

One resident, Mary, shared through happy tears, “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. It feels good to know someone cares.”

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/hearts-united-spreading-joy-love-to-seniors/

Heart2Heart Volunteers Launch Relief Care Program to Support CaregiversTeens Bring Holiday Joy to Seniors

Heart2Heart Volunteers Launch Relief Care Program to Support CaregiversTeens Bring Holiday Joy to Seniors

This month, we’re celebrating Christ Community Church and their amazing youth group for bringing festive cheer to the seniors at Residential Plaza Blue Lagoon in Miami. Through games like Christmas Bingo, Scrabble, and Dominoes, these teens created a joyful holiday atmosphere, building connections that bridged generations. Their warmth and kindness reminded everyone of the true spirit of community. Thank you, Christ Community Church, for inspiring us all to bring light and love to those who need it most!

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/teens-bring-holiday-joy-to-seniors/

Teens Bring Holiday Joy to Seniors

Teens Bring Holiday Joy to Seniors

This month, we’re celebrating Christ Community Church and their amazing youth group for bringing festive cheer to the seniors at Residential Plaza Blue Lagoon in Miami. Through games like Christmas Bingo, Scrabble, and Dominoes, these teens created a joyful holiday atmosphere, building connections that bridged generations. Their warmth and kindness reminded everyone of the true spirit of community. Thank you, Christ Community Church, for inspiring us all to bring light and love to those who need it most!

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/teens-bring-holiday-joy-to-seniors/