Since the Senior Primelife Enrichment Center came into being at the North Webster Community Center, Barb Hetrick has acted, both as a volunteer and officially, as director. She sits on the piano bench at the center after the seniors have left following a daily lunch provided by REAL Services.

LEESBURG — Although she’s had a variety of jobs throughout her life, Barb Hetrick, Leesburg, has always made her main focus caring for others.

Hetrick grew up in Seymour and attended Indiana University Bloomington as a business major where she met her husband, Jerry. Her primary role then became taking care of their two children, Jill and Scott. They moved multiple times throughout the area, living in Michigan three times, the Chicago area twice, Virginia once and Indiana.

During these years she worked in a variety of part-time professions including women’s retail, banking, a decorating and carpet company and a receptionist. Since moving to this area 24 years ago, she has taken on another role caring for seniors as the director of the Senior Primelife Enrichment Center at the North Webster Community Center.

As part of a core group that used to meet at the old community center, Hetrick was one who believed they needed to form a senior group. This became a possibility once the new community center was built. Before officially taking on the title of director, she volunteered in the position for almost two years.

She enjoys the flexibility of the schedule and short hours each day so she is able to make coffee and put out snacks each morning, organize events and trips, arrange for presentations, make the monthly event calendar, fill in for a game of bridge and help organize service projects while still being able to spend time with her family. One of the most important projects is their annual walkathon, which not only raises awareness for the senior center, but also helps to raise money to pay for their necessary expenses.

Using the motto “go with the flow to get what people want and what people need,” Hetrick simply spends most of her time listening to the seniors at the center. The seniors come to her with any issues they may be facing, health or otherwise. She either acts as a listening ear or will try to get information to help them when possible. She will simply “wing it” and do whatever she has to do.

This place for seniors to gather is so important for a variety of reasons, according to Hetrick. The main reason is to simply give them a place to go. They are able to receive outside stimulation and have fun. The hallways also provide a good place to walk, no matter the weather. For Hetrick it also is what helps her get up in the morning so she will continue to do it as long as they will let her.

Shopping, vacations to Montana with her husband, exploring and hunting for new Native American memorabilia and working outside with her flowers, primarily impatiens are things Hetrick enjoys doing for herself. She is a member of Shepherd by the Lakes Lutheran. In order to help strengthen her knees, legs and feet she does water therapy in Plymouth. Her current goal is to get her legs strong enough to be able to walk a mile for pleasure.

Since her daughter and 17-year-old grandson live in California, Hetrick looks forward to their annual three-week visits. This year they are planning a trip to Michigan.