McCormick Assisted Living, the Green Bay campus division of St. Paul Elder Services, is a tight-knit community formed not only by residents and employees, but also the volunteers that become mainstays in its homey hallways. One of the many ways that volunteers contribute to the McCormick Assisted Living family is by bringing opportunities for residents to have some fun and making sure that everyone has a chance to participate. That’s where the Bingo Ladies come in.
The Bingo Ladies are a group of seven retirees that first entered McCormick Assisted Living through different avenues, whether coming to work or visiting family members. Over the course of time, the longest-running member having been a volunteer for 22 years, they continue to come back to support the community they love. The Bingo Ladies call bingo and assist residents of all ability levels so that everyone can take part.
The Volunteer Center’s Volunteer Awards
The group – made up of Kaye Vanden Branden, Peggy Hockers, Kathy Watzka, Judy Jacobs, Joan Schaut and Jane and Craig Zacman – was recently nominated in the 2025 Volunteer Awards presented by the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation. The awards celebrate the many groups and individuals that volunteer their time to give back to various communities and causes throughout Brown County. Award recipients receive grants for the nonprofits of their choosing, and student award winners receive scholarships.
The event is a heartwarming opportunity for attendees to be honored and to learn about and celebrate each other’s many worthy causes. It’s a testament to the pride Green Bay residents take in the community.
More than Bingo
Bingo games themselves are a great source of camaraderie among McCormick Assisted Living’s residents and volunteers. Even more, the relationships that are built over the course of years spent laughing, talking and visiting are what makes these volunteers an integral part of McCormick Assisted Living. The loving, person-directed care that residents receive while spending time with people who really know them is irreplaceable, and it’s what makes McCormick special.