Golf runs in the blood of the Murphy family; even their vacations together involve tournaments played for a coveted family jacket. When the mother-son team of Pam Murphy, General Manager at Magnolia Gardens, and Adam Murphy, co-owner of the Murphy Real Estate Group, hit the links for the 24th Annual Langley Memorial Hospital Golf Tournament today, it’s not just a love for the links that got them there. It’s their shared commitment to serving and advocating for seniors.
An Affinity for Seniors
Spending time with seniors isn’t trending among young people, but as a teenager, Adam had lots of opportunities and he enjoyed them. “When Magnolia Gardens was built 20 years ago, my Dad was working on the project for Century Group,” recalls Adam, “My Mom was marketing it, and I was looking for a volunteer opportunity—It just made sense to volunteer there.”Pam took over as the General Manager not long after the building opened. Adam showed up to do everything from tending bar during social hours to flipping burgers for BBQ parties, and even calling BINGO if the need arose. Working with seniors was natural to him; his parents had always mixed with people from generations beyond them.
“In my married life, our friends were almost always a lot older than us,” says Pam, recalling how she developed an affinity for seniors that she passed along to her sons. “Early in my career, we managed an apartment complex geared towards seniors and friendship with seniors became a lifestyle for us.”
Serving Langley Seniors
This fall, Pam and the Magnolia Gardens team will celebrate 19 years serving Langley’s seniors through independent living arrangements and a long term care centre. Adam also celebrates a unique milestone—his first year on the Board of Directors for the Langley Senior Resources Society.
“I really enjoy giving back; that’s why I volunteer at the seniors centre. I enjoy the difference you can make with your time.” As business owners, he and his wife Jennifer, prioritize space in their schedules for community service.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Adam’s brought his restaurant experience to the LSRS kitchen team, making meals to go for seniors. “I’m trying to make the world better for other people,” says Adam. “When you own your own business, you get to focus where you want, and making a difference in the community is really my passion.”
That passion runs in Pam’s blood, as well. She values the opportunity she has to enhance the lives of the elderly every day. “When an older person moves into Magnolia Gardens, our team works hard to enhance all aspects of their lives; physical, spiritual, emotional, social,” she says. “We want their time living with us to be full of great memories, laughter and purpose.”
“Improving the lives of seniors inside Bria Communities seniors homes and outside is a key part of how our company operates,” notes Pam. Partnering with community organizations like Langley Memorial Hospital facilitates those opportunities. “This year, we are proud to sponsor the LMH Smile Badge project,” she says. The Smile Badge project is a simple photo ID that allows patients to see their caregiver’s smiling face even when wearing necessary PPE.
“Supporting Langley Memorial Hospital is a high priority for us because so many of Bria Communities residents in Langley receive care there, “says Pam. “We really appreciate them.”
Supporting the Hospital that Supports Seniors
In a year full of challenges, the needs at Langley Memorial Hospital haven’t decreased, but the complexity of engaging the community in events has. Sheila Reimer, Advancement Officer for the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation is organizing the event. “We are incredibly grateful to be able to host our golf tournament this year,” says Sheila Reimer, Advancement Officer for the LMHF. “I was holding my breath, waiting to see how the community would rally – I recognize local business and residents are facing many challenges – but rally they have.”
“I was so delighted to see Pam Murphy step right up with early registration for the tournament. She gave all of us at Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation hope for a great event, and soon many others joined her. Once again, Langley shows itself a generous and supportive community. Together, we are stronger.”
As Pam and Adam tee up at Redwoods Golf Course, there will be a bit of family rivalry at play, “Usually when we golf, Adam and I are fairly close to each other, I’m hoping I’ll be the victor today,” notes Pam.
The real winners are the seniors of Langley who benefit from the services of Langley Memorial Hospital and community members like Pam and Adam, who bring their hearts to play when serving and advocating for seniors in Langley.
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