Our Mission

In 2016, Anne Bosler of the Village of Hadley launched Hadley Caring Neighbors, inspired by a similar service her church provided. She aimed to offer non-medical services to neighbors, such as rides to doctors, dog walking during recovery, caregiver respite, companionship, and other acts of kindness—all at no cost. Recruitment began with Anne standing by mailboxes holding a sign that read “Ask me about Hadley Caring Neighbors,” where she signed up the first 30 volunteers.

The idea quickly evolved into a structured network across multiple villages that matches volunteer helpers with residents in need, providing essential support for residents. The program includes background checks for volunteers, in-person client registration, liability waivers, and clear guidelines to protect everyone involved. Client requests are emailed to all local volunteers; the first available one responds directly to the Service Coordinator, ensuring a fair system that avoids overburdening any single person.

By 2018, the program expanded from the Village of Hadley to the village of Summerhill, followed by Buttonwood and the Fenney Area. Volunteers logged over 600 service hours throughout the year, showcasing the growing volunteer opportunities.

As of 2026, the program has extended its reach to nearly 50 Villages, with over 1,000 volunteers now supporting the initiative. Since Caring Neighbors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it relies on fundraising, individual donations, and community support to fulfill its mission of providing no-cost services to client residents. Anne’s vision remains strong: to have Caring Neighbors support every Village within The Villages, Florida.