by Cynthia Germain
Today is Grandparents Day (September 13th)! A day that does not always receive the same attention as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, but one with a particularly meaningful purpose.
National Grandparents Day was established following years of advocacy by Marian McQuade, who wanted people to recognize the important place older adults hold in families and communities. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter issued the first National Grandparents Day proclamation, encouraging people to pause and reflect on the influence their grandparents had on their lives.
It was never intended to be only about cards or gifts. It was also meant to strengthen connections between generations and remind us of the wisdom, stories and experiences older adults have to share.
Today, I find myself thinking about my grandma.
My grandparents built a home outside of Sturgeon Bay in the 1950s. They later retired there, making Door County the place where they planned to spend this chapter of their lives.
After my grandpa passed away, my grandma remained in their home for several years. She was active in her church, volunteered, and continued to be part of the place she loved. I remember her as someone who believed that service in the community was important, and this was how she stay connected. She not only built a home here but a life.
My grandma, Ruth Weigand, at her Sturgeon Bay home
As the years passed, things began to change. Following an automobile accident, she stopped driving. Like so many older adults, she found that losing the ability to drive affected much more than transportation. It changed how easily she could attend church, volunteer, take care of errands and remain connected to the rhythms of everyday life.
At that time, Door County did not have the kinds of coordinated local supports that might have helped her continue living independently. My father moved her to Illinois so she could be closer to him. Later, she returned to the Sturgeon Bay area and lived in assisted living until she passed away.
Her story is not an unhappy one. She had a loving family, meaningful relationships and many good years in the community she chose. Still, I sometimes wonder what additional choices she might have had if there had been a volunteer to provide a ride, help with an errand, stop by for a visit or lend a hand with something around the house.
That question is part of what has shaped Do Good Door County.
From the beginning, our work has been about listening to older adults and helping Door County prepare for the realities of aging. We have brought people and organizations together through the Aging Coalition of Door County. We endeavored to develop community programs that help address home safety, practical supports, social connection and other issues that affect our ability to remain independent.
That work eventually led to SAIL, now Age In Place Door County, where volunteers help members with everyday needs such as grocery shopping, errands, companion visits, light housekeeping and outdoor chores. Through Home For Life Door County, we are also helping people consider practical ways to make their homes safer as their needs change.
These may seem like small things. But small things can make a meaningful difference. They can help someone continue a familiar routine, remain connected to the community, and feel more confident at home. They can also give families some reassurance that their loved one is not navigating every change alone.
Grandparents Day asks us to remember what our grandparents have given us. It can also invite us to think about what we want for today’s grandparents, and for all of us as we grow older.
My grandma’s story reminds me why this work matters. We want older adults in Door County to have more support, more connections and more choices than earlier generations often had.
If you would like to honor a grandparent or another older adult who has made a difference in your life, please consider making a donation to Do Good Door County. Your support helps us continue building a community where people can remain connected, valued and supported as they age.
That seems like a fitting way to celebrate Grandparents Day, and a meaningful legacy for those who helped shape our lives.