by Cynthia Germain
There’s a certain hush that settles over Door County this time of year. The trees are bare, the streets a little quieter, the days shorter. It’s the season of reflection, looking back at what was, and forward to what still needs doing. And while winter can feel peaceful, for many older adults, it can also feel isolating. Fewer chances to connect. More time spent alone.
That’s why this season, as the year quietly closes, what we do for one another matters even more.
Over the past few months, we’ve seen just how deeply our community cares about helping people age well. Through our programs and partnerships, older adults across Door County have found new ways to build friendships, stay active, return to work in ways that honored their experience, and feel more confident navigating both their homes and their communities.
Earlier in our livable community work, parks and public spaces were evaluated using AARP tools to identify ways to improve safety, comfort, and accessibility, providing recommendations that continue to help guide municipalities as they work toward more welcoming, inclusive spaces for everyone. This long-term view of livability reminds us that building a great community doesn’t happen in a single season. It’s something we shape together over time.
And perhaps most importantly, real people felt the difference.
One MatchUp participant shared how one small job led to new friendships and a renewed sense of purpose. A Vitality in Aging participant reflected on how simple daily reminders, to move, to hydrate, to reach out, changed the rhythm of their days. Employers told us how meaningful it was to welcome experienced older workers back into the fold. These are quiet victories, but they ripple outward in powerful ways.
At the same time, the realities of aging in Door County haven’t changed. Most people want to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Yet many aren’t sure what they would do if living independently became harder. Nearly two-thirds already know they’ll need help with things like snow removal, repairs, or home tasks. And social connection is viewed as just as vital as food access and transportation. Loneliness, memory loss, mobility changes, and the fear of being a burden remain among the top concerns as people age.
This is the space where Do Good Door County continues to show up…quietly, steadily, and with purpose.
We often return to a simple idea from urban planner Gil Peñalosa:
“If everything we do in our public spaces is great for an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, then it will be great for people of all ages.”
That belief guides so much of our work, not just in parks and sidewalks, but in how we design opportunities for connection, independence, dignity, and belonging across the lifespan.
As this year comes to a close, we’re not just wrapping up programs, we’re building momentum that continues into the next season. The village model through SAIL is strengthening neighbor-to-neighbor support. Aging-in-place education through AARP HomeFit continues to empower residents to make their homes safer. Social connection remains at the heart of everything we do, because without it, even the best services fall short.
This is where you come in.
A year-end gift to Do Good Door County isn’t just a donation, it’s a light lift during the darker months. As we step into the new year, there is so much still to do. But together, we’ve already shown what’s possible when a community truly commits to helping people grow older with confidence and purpose.
If you are able to give before the year ends, we invite you to be part of what’s next.
Every conversation. Every connection. Every gift helps older adults live with dignity, meaning, and community support.