National Volunteer Month Spotlight: Janet Dardent

A native of Nashville, Janet Darden is a cherished volunteer at American House Lebanon. In honor of National Volunteer Month, Janet was kind enough to take time out of her day to share her story. She’s married with two grown daughters. Her husband, now retired, enjoyed a long career at Bridgestone. The happy couple spent a lot of time in Africa, where Janet’s husband ran the largest rubber tree farm in the world for the 95-year-old tire company.

“My husband worked for a fascinating company,” Janet said, “and Liberia is a beautiful place.”

She first learned about senior living when her mother June decided it was time she moved into Assisted Living. Janet visited many senior living communities and thought they all felt as impersonal as a cruise ship. One day, when Janet was out grocery shopping, she happened to drive by American House Lebanon. She walked in on a whim to grab a packet of information but was instantly welcomed and enthusiastically “engulfed” by team members. She decided to take a tour with her groceries still in the car. Janet was immediately impressed and brought her mother back for a visit.

June felt the same way as her daughter.

“American House felt like home for my mom and everyone felt like family,” Janet said.

June enjoyed a career as a public-school teacher, teaching history to 4th- and 5th- graders. She often took her students to Washington D.C., to teach them what it looked like to be an American citizen. June and her husband, who worked for the phone company, traveled the world after they retired. June loved to collect Santa Clauses wherever her travels took her.

“One of the only times I saw my mom get angry was when we told her she couldn’t bring all her 838 Santas with her to American House,” Janet said with a laugh. “My mom was a happy person and she loved Christmas more than anyone I know.”

Janet admired her mom’s intelligence and how she lived life to the fullest, up to the moment June died after a hard fight with ovarian cancer. But Janet finds it sweet how many of her mom’s Santas and other treasures from her life can still be found throughout the community with residents and team members alike.

“My mom was an inspiration to so many people here,” Janet said. “One of the reasons I still volunteer here is because people here loved my mom. She’d be happy that so many of her possessions are still being used within the community.”

While June was alive, Janet helped with events at the community, but one day she asked if she could start a Bible study.

“It surprised me when I said it outloud,” Janet said, laughing. “It just came out. So we started a Bible group and a lot of relationships we’re formed. When my mom died, the ladies were like, ‘Are we still going to have Bible study?’”

Janet was so invested with the group that the answer was obvious: yes.

“I love the people and the staff here. They really are family to me like they were with my mom. I like to help whenever I can.”

Life Enrichment Director Amber Wallace chimed in and said that was an understatement.

“Janet is my right-hand person every year for the Alzheimer’s fundraisers. She’s always here for car shows, holidays, you name it. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

The feeling is mutual for Janet.

“Amber does an incredible job with events,” she said. “It’s so easy and fun to work with her.”

Janet made it clear she isn’t going anywhere.

“I believe God planted me here for a reason. American House Lebanon is a wonderful place and I’m thrilled to be a part of this amazing community.”