Between preparing thousands of sandwiches for pre-school children in need, reading to recovering patients at Houston Methodist or greeting theater goers at ADPlayers, 82-year-old Pat Deckert has spent more than half of her life giving back to others in the Houston area. Deckert, who is a resident of The Buckingham, believes that volunteering gives her a greater sense of purpose and drive. As soon as Deckert’s feet hit the floor in the morning, she’s checking her calendar to see where she’s needed that day.
“It’s the people I’ve met through volunteering that have shaped my perspective on life,” said Deckert. “People ask me all the time, ‘Why do you keep volunteering? Don’t you want to just take a break?’ There’s something inside of me that motivates me to continue on this mission, and it brings me a tremendous feeling of satisfaction.”
Deckert is a role model and an example of faithful volunteerism, spreading her time and energy to touch as many lives as possible. She looks at life through a lens that helps her recognize how to best serve others. Deckert’s desire to inspire and positively impact others is an extension of the Masterpiece Living® philosophy, which serves as the community’s foundation. The philosophy embraces a wellness-minded attitude and encourages learning by focusing on an individual’s key development areas—physical, mental, social and spiritual.
“Volunteering is such an important thing to do, and it’s how I choose to spend my time,” explained Deckert. “My mother volunteered from sunrise to sundown in her 80s, so I guess it’s in my genes to serve others who need my help. The really nice thing about all of the organizations I work with is they truly appreciate what I do, and I truly enjoy waking up knowing that I’m giving back to my community.”
Deckert is known for her friendliness and compassion towards every face she encounters. Her volunteerism has sparked lifelong friendships with people who share her passion to lend a hand.
“Pat Deckert is one of the kindest, most caring individuals, and The Buckingham is so proud of her commitment to support people so willingly,” said Julie Fenske, executive director of The Buckingham. “She goes above and beyond to make sure others are comfortable and feel loved. She leads a life of compassion and volunteerism every day, and The Buckingham is proud to recognize her during National Volunteer Month.”