Kerry HokeBob Castallo
Bob Castallo is no stranger to Messiah Lifeways. His journey here began in 2008 when he and his wife moved to Mechanicsburg from Baltimore, MD. They also wanted to move his mother to a caring place that would be closer to their new home.
His mother ended up living at Messiah Lifeways for five years before she passed. Over the course of that time, Bob and his wife had many opportunities to get to know the staff and other residents. The caring nature of this community always impressed them.
When Bob decided to retire following an accident, his wife asked him, “What will you do with your time now?” He decided to look for volunteer opportunities, and Messiah Lifeways seemed an obvious place to start. It only made sense to give back to the place that had taken such good care of his mother in her later years.
Bob values being involved with a mission that matters—to have a sense of meaning and purpose—and volunteering at Messiah Lifeways has provided that. Interacting with the residents and hearing stories of their lives brings Bob the most enjoyment and is part of what keeps him coming back to serve.
Bob shares, “It impresses me to talk with the people I serve.” One of his most memorable conversations was with a resident who worked for one of the lawyers who headed the Nuremberg Trials.
Over the course of the last eight years, Bob has logged an impressive 2000+ hours volunteering at Messiah Lifeways, and he has found the same sense of community he remembers from his mother’s tenure here.
“I have never felt more at home,” he reflects. “I have to give back. Messiah [Lifeways] was good to my mother. The least I can do is give back what they gave to her and to me.”
