Cindy Neal embodies the Hilltop values of Relationship and Fun.

Cindy has been volunteering at the Commons for 1.5 years. She joined the Commons team at a very difficult time during the height of the pandemic. She donates approximately 10 hours per week. Cindy volunteers at the Commons in two different capacities. She leads Bingo every Monday afternoon and she assists with book club every third Friday of the month. Cindy goes the extra mile by showing up early to set up the room, prepare the audio-visual equipment, prizes and game boards for residents. Once residents begin arriving, she will often help to escort them to their chairs and ensure that they are comfortable. Once she begins calling the game, Cindy guides the residents through 9 different rounds of Bingo, sometimes more to ensure someone playing for money wins the kitty. When the game is done, Cindy pays out the quarters and prizes, cleans up and locks up all the equipment and remaining prizes. On book club days, Cindy assists the resident book club leader in many ways. She will help the residents who are attending to find a comfortable spot in the library. She assists everyone by getting requested water or snacks. She helps by setting up audio-visual equipment so that they can pass around microphones. She also participates in the discussion, reading and dissecting the book right along side the residents. Cindy said, in a recent interview with the Daily Sentinel, “I love getting to know the residents. They all have such a varied history. I volunteer doing Bingo and helping out with book club, which has been really interesting. We just read Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, and there was a lot of discussion around that book by people who had memories of that time. It’s fascinating to get first-hand historical information like that.” She continued by saying, “The residents love their activities, and getting that back has been very rewarding. I really enjoy spending time with them. They share their wisdom with me, their sense of humor, and they’re just so fun to be around. I would recommend volunteering for anyone who wants to spend time with people. It’s a great opportunity to share your time and get to know the residents. It’s rewarding to have that relationship. The residents have such a depth of life experience and Hilltop is a fabulous organization.” These quotes alone speak to the impact Cindy has made as a volunteer. We need volunteers who love the people we serve, and Cindy exudes that kind of love in all her interactions with me, the employees at the Commons, and with the residents. Kara Downey, Life Enrichment Supervisor at the Commons, states “Cindy’s passion and enthusiasm lights up every room where she brings such joy to the residents and her compassion is endless. Residents come to play Bingo but I believe they leave with so much more. Some leave with winnings but they all leave with joy in their hearts.” Timindra Boyer, Commons Director, reiterated that Cindy has made a big difference at the Commons. Timindra shared that Cindy made an immediate impact, because she came to Hilltop at the height of the pandemic. Cindy was able to put her professional background as a Nurse Practitioner to work to benefit the employees and residents at Hilltop amidst the many changes and disruption created by COVID-19. Cindy was a calming force at a difficult time. Timindra offered her ringing endorsement of this nomination. It is for these reasons that Cindy is so deserving of a Volunteer Mission Award and recognition of her service.