Meadow Ridge Honors Resident’s Lifetime of Community Service

Meadow Ridge is honoring a tireless and dedicated community volunteer with its third annual Heart of the Community Award. The award recognizes Richard “Dick” Farrell for all he has done throughout his life and the contributions he continues to make to the Meadow Ridge community.

Recognizing the Impact One Individual Can Make

Meadow Ridge, managed by Benchmark Senior Living, created the Heart of the Community Award to recognize the important role philanthropy plays in enriching lives and to showcase the impact one person can have, especially in their retirement. Mr. Farrell has long been a volunteer leader wherever he has lived—from multiple community roles in and around his former home of Bedford, NY, to many committee roles at Meadow Ridge, where he’s been since 2017.

“Mr. Farrell inspires his neighbors and friends to continue making a difference in the lives of others,” said Benchmark Senior Living Chairman and CEO Tom Grape. “His leadership on the Meadow Ridge Scholarship Fund, especially, has made a meaningful impact on scores of young people and their education. When I think of Benchmark’s core values—Called to Care, Better Together and Be the Benchmark—Mr. Farrell certainly lives them all.”

A Legacy of Volunteer Leadership

Mr. Farrell is a retired advertising executive and former U.S. Air Force navigator. While living in Bedford, NY, he volunteered in several roles for the Bedford Presbyterian Church, worked to establish the Bedford Historical Preservation Commission, served as president of the Bedford Free Library Board of Trustees and volunteered in many other capacities.

In addition to leading the Meadow Ridge Scholarship Fund, Mr. Farrell has also served on the Resident Board and the Marketing Committee and is quick to offer encouragement and support to anyone who is working through illness or grief. “He recognizes the aptitude in individuals and helps them find a way to use it, for their benefit and that of Meadow Ridge,” said one nomination letter.

“Dick really is the heart of Meadow Ridge,” said Campus Executive Director Chris Barstein. “He cares deeply about the well-being of others and is generous with that compassion. We’re all better for being able to call Dick our neighbor and friend.”