The Heart Foundation

Maplewood Senior Living Heart Foundation Inc. Logo

Maplewood’s HEART Foundation is rooted in our commitment to care for the entire Maplewood family. It was inspired by a defining moment in 2013, when associate Kristin Hocker experienced a life-altering accident. Maplewood Co-CEOs Shane Herlet and Tom Gaston, alongside late President and CEO Gregory Smith, came together to support Kristin and her family, setting the foundation for a lasting culture of compassion.

Established in 2016, the HEART Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing financial assistance to Maplewood associates and their families during times of unexpected hardship, including serious illness, injury, family loss, housing challenges, and natural disasters. Led by Kristin Hocker, the Foundation also extends its impact through donations to local charitable organizations, reinforcing Maplewood’s commitment to the communities we serve.

a senior woman and a nurse sitting down and holding hands

How You Can Give

Every contribution to our senior living foundation makes a difference. Our communities host monthly HEART Foundation events, and each February, we hold our Annual HEART Drive. Associates are encouraged to donate through biweekly payroll deductions or contribute through fundraising efforts in each of their specific communities. We also encourage residents and families to contribute to the HEART Foundation.

Donate Now

Our corporate sponsors

Like all of us at Maplewood, our key business partners understand how important our associates’ well-being is to the care and services we provide to residents and their families. We’re thankful for the businesses that have joined Maplewood Senior Living in supporting our senior living foundation from the beginning.

$5,000 – Harvest Circle of Caring

  • Heritage Pension Advisors, Inc.
  • Turner Construction Company

$2,500 – Strong Roots Partner

  • HinmanStraub P.C. Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region
  • USI
  • A & B Mechanical LLC
  • Warschawski
  • Andrew Stefanou Salon & Spa
  • Victig Background Checks (Sacamano LLC)
  • Friend of Maplewood

$1,000 – Branch of Supporter

  • Cosentini Associates Inc. (Tetra Tech, Inc.)
  • PERKINS EASTMAN
  • Seaver Construction, Inc.
  • Mohegan Tribe
  • Mobile Health

$500 – Friend of the Grove

  • KBE Building Corporation
  • J&J Leon’s LLC
  • EPSix
  • Jackson Lewis P.C.
  • BAMKO

$250 – Sprout of Promise

  • EdgeLoc Interiors
  • RVP Flooring Systems, Inc.

$100 – Acorn of Hope

  • Adele Keating
  • Clifford & Leslie Feller
  • Eileen Valenti

$25 – Seed of Kindness

  • Lois Nelson, Owner – Nelson Sr. Consulting Svs., LLC
  • Sally Wallace

In Kind Donations

  • Andrew Stefanou Salon & Spa
  • Atrinity Home Health
  • Chick-fil-A
  • Isabelle et Vincent
  • Jordan’s Restaurant & Pizza
  • mbfloral
  • Nordic Fish
  • Peggy Forrest
  • PopUp Bagels
  • Romanacci Craft Bar & Kitchen
  • Solude Coffee
green background with floral pattern

Words of Gratitude

“With the Foundation’s help, I was able to bury my mother without monumental struggle, especially in these COVID times. I want to give a stratospheric thank you to Kristin Hocker and the team for their graciousness and patience in guiding me through.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask my colleagues to not only contribute financially but also find ways to continue collaborating to raise funds. One day you may need it.”

– Garth Lawrence, Maplewood at Strawberry Hill

“I want to express how sincerely thankful my wife and I are for the assistance that the Heart Foundation provided to us.

I have experienced repeated serious health issues starting in July of 2021, that prohibited me from working and included two separate hospital stays. I had Aflac insurance for the first three months, but following that, we had only my wife’s income. Normally my income provides most of our living.

As a former member of the HEART Foundation Selection Committee, I struggled with asking for their assistance. I am now in the unique position to say how thoughtfully carried through the HEART Foundation grant process, as well as, to know what a lifeline this is to those who are in real need. Thank you for your kindness and compassion when we need it most.”

– Anonymous former grant committee member, Maplewood at Chardon

“After becoming physically disabled, it felt like my life was over. Starting my work at Maplewood gave me a sense of community, purpose, and support. Through my recent challenge, the HEART Foundation quickly helped me get a safer collapsible wheelchair, giving me the ability to drive to work and be independently successful. I cannot express my gratitude enough for this life changing act of kindness. I am proud to be part of the Maplewood team!”

— Mateo Cox, Concierge Maplewood at Weston

  

Connect with Our Director

Caring is at the heart of all that we do at Maplewood Senior Living. If you are an associate in need of help, or a company looking to provide support, we would love to connect with you.

Kristin Hocker

Contact Us
kristen hocker inset image

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475-259-3252

55 Greens Farms Road

Westport, CT 06880


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