At Sunnyside Communities, longevity isn’t just a line on a résumé or a name badge. It’s woven into the daily rhythm of life — the sound of familiar laughter in the hallways, the steady footsteps of someone who knows every corner of the building, the quiet trust built through years of shared stories and small acts of care.
Across all three campuses — Sunnyside in Harrisonburg, Summit Square in Waynesboro, and King’s Grant in Martinsville — long-serving team members embody a culture of commitment, compassion and community.
Sara Johnson was just 16 when she began working as a server in the kitchen at Summit Square in 2011. She didn’t know then where life would take her, but something about the people and the place kept her rooted. More than a decade later, she’s now part of the Resident Services team.
“Summit has been my first and only job,” Johnson said. “I’ve always loved the environment here and the relationships with residents and staff. It feels like a second family.”
Some of her favorite memories include Spirit Week shenanigans and encouragement from longtime resident Bob Frank, who supported her from day one.
Just weeks before Johnson joined the team, Amanda Argenbright started her own journey at Summit Square as a social worker. Today, she serves as the community’s director of marketing.
“It’s more than just a place to work,” Argenbright said. “It’s my second family.”
She’s seen the community grow through renovations and new programs, but the core of her work remains the same: the relationships.
“The residents are the best part of my job,” she said. “I’ve learned so much just by listening to their stories.”
At King’s Grant, Deloris Minter remembers her early days clearly. Nearly three decades ago, she left a long commute behind in search of something closer to home — and found something more meaningful.
“I always thought nursing would be my ministry,” Minter said. “But the residents minister to me just as much with their kindness and wisdom.”
She recalled one resident who “gifted” her imaginary diamonds, plucking them from the wall and placing them on her finger like precious gems.
“The best part of my job is working with the residents,” she said. “They’re the reason I come back each day.”
Andrea Brazil, now director of events at King’s Grant, began even earlier — before the community officially opened its doors. Hired on March 16, 1993, she’s helped shape the campus through decades of development, from outdoor game areas and memory care neighborhoods to the repurposing of the Franck family home into a clubhouse.
Still, for Brazil, the people remain the most meaningful part.
“It’s always been about the family atmosphere,” she said. “Mrs. Carolyn Franck once told me I was the best thing that ever happened to King’s Grant. In my hardest moments, I’ve carried those words with me.”
At Sunnyside, Rob Cook is a familiar name — and face. Hired on Feb. 26, 1980, as a painter, he now serves as building maintenance manager. After more than 40 years, he remains part of the heartbeat of the community.
“I’ve worked with great people and had a great boss, Robert Shenk,” Cook said. “But more than anything, it’s the people that keep you here.”
He met his wife at Sunnyside. They’ve been married 44 years and raised their family together — a quiet legacy built day by day.
He’s proud of the community’s growth and its embrace of inclusivity over the years.
“We opened up to all residents and religions,” he said. “And we let people bring pets to Sunnyside, which means so much.”
Across all three communities, one thread ties these stories together: a deep and lasting sense of home — not just for residents, but for the team members who show up each day to care, connect and grow.
Whether they’ve been with Sunnyside Communities for 10 years or 40, these employees have left their mark — through the lives they’ve touched, the trust they’ve earned, and the joy they’ve found in the everyday moments that make up a life’s work.
As Sara Johnson put it, “It’s true when they say life is better at Summit Square — not only to live but to work as well.”
That same spirit echoes across Sunnyside Communities, where legacy isn’t just honored — it’s lived.
