Page 20 - Our Hands SPRING 2019

IMPACT STARTS WITH YOU

Donor Profile: Lori Westerbeek

“You didn’t grow under my heart, but in it.”

The Williams family celebrating Wayne's 80th birthday and grateful to be a forever family

ven at 52, Lori Westerbeek feels and grandkids - and now great grandson,” says Lori. “Samaritas
the tears start to flow when she has a special place in my heart because of my connection. It’s a
Etells her adoption story. “I was great organization, supporting a lot of great causes.”
six weeks old when I was adopted,”
says the Grosse Ile mother of three. Although Lori knows her birth mother was young and of
Swedish-German descent, she never wanted to know more. Her
Lori’s parents, Wayne and Beverly parents are her parents, plain and simple.
Williams were unable to have
biological children so they adopted “You don’t think about being adopted after so many years,”
Lori, and two years later, new little Lori says. “My mom and I will
brother Thom joined the family. go out shopping and people
Both Lori and Thom found their comment all the time about
forever family through LSSM – now how much we look alike and
Samaritas. Beverly was a stay-at-home we just smile. It’s a reminder
mom, while Wayne worked for Ford that God truly has a plan for
Motor Company and they made sure each of us and that plan is
that their house was full of love and good!”
faith. Lori treasures a book her mother created for her adoption
There was no drama when her parents conveyed the birthday celebration many years ago. It includes an original
information to their children; it was just part of their poem and the last two lines are embedded in Lori’s heart: “You
upbringing. Lori says, “My mom and dad always said we were didn’t grow under my heart, but in it.”
adopted because we were special.” Each year, Lori and Scot contribute to the mission and
Lori and her husband, Scot, are parents to daughters Ashleigh ministries of Samaritas and Lutheran Adoption Services as a
and twins Emily and Abby. All three of their girls are college way of showing gratitude for the opportunity of a great life in
graduates and now live on the west side of the state. Ashleigh a loving home. Lori says, “Not everyone in need of a
and her husband have a son who is Grandma Lori and home is chosen, and I thank God everyday that I
Grandpa Scot’s favorite grandson so far! was chosen by the best!”

“My parents have always loved spending time with their family

Lee Riedl

A big congratulations goes out to Lee Riedl for winning the 2019 Individual Volunteer
of the Year Award from LeadingAge Michigan! Lee is a volunteer at Samaritas Senior
Living of Grand Rapids and does whatever is asked of her - from helping with big
events, spending time with residents, inputting data and more! Congratulations Lee!
#BeTheRock

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