Good Samaritan Society-Denton Village Celebrating 35 years
By Virginia Langston, Denton Good Samaritan, Denton LIVING WELL Magazine
In 1922, Rev. August Hoeger was serving as a pastor in Arthur, N.D. when a fellow pastor put a challenge in the church newsletter to donate two pennies to a boy with polio. Money flowed in, and a surplus of $2,000 remained. Rev. Hoeger suggested this money be used to help others and to that end The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society was formed. The Society is first and foremost a Christian organization. Although it began for persons with disabilities, the Society expanded its services to the aged. While the Society has grown during the past 89 years, its mission has remained the same: share God’s love in word and deed… Good Samaritan centers are located in more than 200 communities in 24 states. Wherever the centers are, they form one Society.
Good Samaritan Society was asked to come to Denton by a group of individuals who recognized the need for retirement housing here. In 1973, a community fund drive, chaired by Tom Harpool, raised the funds to purchase 2500 Hinkle Dr. It was the hard work of community members such as Rev. Fred Cassell, Frank Hall, Tom Harpool and Tom Noel, who were part of the original planning committee, which resulted in Good Samaritan Society-Denton Village. Frank Hall and Tom Noel later resided at Denton Village and continued to lend their leadership there.
Denton Village began service in 1976 with the opening of the health care center and the central apartments. The health care center offers long and short term stays. The rehabilitation area was just expanded to provide more space for therapy, therapy equipment and offices. A ribbon cutting was held on Sept. 30 to celebrate Good Samaritan’s 35th anniversary. Many public officials and community leaders were present.
In the 1980s the first twin homes were constructed. There are now 60 twin homes/triplexes fully occupied. The south building was completed in 1983. The central and south apartment buildings are comprised of 93 apartments, all of which are occupied.
Morrison Residence is the newest level of service. It was the dream of the founders that once a person moved into the Village; they could choose to stay for the rest of their lives and enjoy the security of a retirement community. Residents and community members donated time and money to add this area, which opened in 2004. Leadership gifts were given by Annie Sue Morrison, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Knight, and TJ & Barbara Knight. Morrison Residence has 14 assisted living studio apartments that are occupied.
At Good Samaritan each resident is valued and loved regardless of age or ability. Each staff member is offered respect and opportunities to grow. This demonstrates the vision of the Society, which is to create an environment where people are loved, valued and at peace.
