Hearts of Welcome – How Ambassadors Help Residents of the Future Feel at Home at River Landing
Moving into a life plan community is an important decision and a meaningful life transition. It often comes with questions, hopes and the natural wonder of imagining what the future will look like.
At River Landing at Sandy Ridge, a continuing care – or “life plan” -- retirement community, in Colfax N.C., one of the things that sets the community apart is the heart of its residents. Here, neighbors care about one another, they give back and many are eager to help Residents of the Future feel welcomed and supported long before they move in.
Among those caring neighbors are Kerry and Joanne Miller, a married couple who have lived at River Landing for two years and proudly serve as ambassadors for the community. Their kindness, hospitality and genuine love for River Landing reflect the spirit that so many residents share.
Kerry and Joanne volunteer their time in several ways to help Residents of the Future experience what life at River Landing truly feels like. They open their beautiful two-bedroom cottage home for house tours, giving visitors a real-life look at River Landing housing. They attend informational luncheons at which they sit with guests, answer questions and share their personal journey of having chosen River Landing for themselves. They also enjoy meeting one-on-one with Residents of the Future over lunch or dinner in the community, offering conversation, encouragement and friendship.
Joanne has even served as a panelist during the Becoming a Resident seminar, where she speaks honestly about daily life at River Landing and how the transition into the community felt for them.
“We love being involved because it gives us an opportunity to meet wonderful people. And it allows us to give back to our community,” Kerry says.
Before moving to River Landing, Kerry and Joanne toured several other communities. What made River Landing stand out to them was the warmth and friendliness they experienced from the very first visit. Residents smiled, team members welcomed them and people took time to answer their questions and make them feel at home. That experience inspired them to serve as ambassadors.
“It is easy to talk about a community that you love so much. It does not feel like a chore for us. We truly enjoy doing it,” Joanne shares.
Each February, River Landing hosts the Sweetheart Social to celebrate ambassadors like Kerry and Joanne who generously give their time to support Residents of the Future. The event is a way to say thank you to those who help showcase the best of River Landing – the kindness, hospitality and neighborly spirit that cannot be captured on paper.
At the social, residents are invited to sign up for the coming year in whatever way feels comfortable to them. Some volunteer their homes for tours; others enjoy attending luncheons or dining with Residents of the Future. Each opportunity plays a meaningful role in helping future neighbors feel seen, valued and reassured during their decision-making process.
Residents such as Kerry and Joanne represent the heart of River Landing. They remind every Resident of the Future that here, you are not just choosing a place to live – you are joining a caring, active community where people look out for one another and new neighbors quickly become friends.
At River Landing, you are welcomed long before you move in – and that makes all the difference.