©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Meredith Sonderskov: a lifetime of service
by PAULA M. RILEY

Serving in one of her many volunteer roles, Meredith Sonderskov (with George Lyons) greets visitors to the Chestnut Hill Historical Society at the Garden Festival. (Photo by Paula M. Riley)

This is the 13th in an ongoing series of articles by Paula M. Riley on Chestnut Hill volunteers.

As a second grader at Springside School during the Second World War, Meredith F. Sonderskov remembers making “Bundles for Britain” for the victims of the London bombings. These were bundles of clothing packaged by student volunteers and delivered to the Women’s Exchange, where the Red Cross had its local headquarters

“Service was really pushed at Springside,” Sonderskov explains, “We left there knowing that we should go out and volunteer.“ This was exactly what Sonderskov did. After graduating Smith College in 1950 she got married, moved to Baltimore and had two sons. There she joined the Junior League and became president of the Neighborhood Association.

She tells colorful stories of the battles the association had with neighboring Johns Hopkins University. When the university wanted to buy up apartment complexes to use for graduate housing, Sonderskov knew many senior citizens would be displaced. The association needed to respond, so Sonderskov did just that, saying, “I put on my nice suit and pearls and met with the board of trustees. Taking out a campus map, I pointed to the exact location where I thought they should build a new graduate dorm instead of displacing the community’s oldest members. They just nodded their heads, and I left.”

Much to her amazement, Sonderskov learned that the university hired a master planner who, after a three-year study and a few hundred thousand dollars, recommended that the university leave the apartment buildings alone and build a graduate dorm in the exact spot Sonderskov suggested. “I laugh every time I drive by there,” she says.

Baltimore was one of the many towns where Sonderskov lived with her family; others included State College, PA, Baton Rouge, LA and Danbury, CT. In all of these communities, Sonderskov played an active role. Whether serving with the Girl Scouts, Junior League, League of Women Voters or Church Women United, she strived to make her community better. After 42 years away from Chestnut Hill, she returned in 1996, bringing valuable lessons.

“What I learned from being involved in many communities is that ultimately all communities have the same sorts of problems.” Sonderskov continues. “It is important to try to achieve a balance between different community interests while understanding and recognizing the different roles that groups play in the community.”

As an active member at St. Paul’s Church, Sonderskov works with the Landscape Committee and is often on the grounds raking leaves or maintaining the new butterfly and prayer gardens. She helps with the Pastorius Park Concert Series and has been volunteering with the Chestnut Hill Historical Society for three years as a Board Member and Archives Volunteer.

Sonderskov relishes the fascinating archival projects in which she has been engaged. A student of American history herself, Sonderskov understands the lessons history can teach, stating, “The most important thing to do is educate the next generation about Chestnut Hill. Ours is such an amazing history; there’s a lot to learn from the successes and failures of our previous generations.”

Her current assignment involves cataloging boxes of personal items and effects from the family of Laura Troth Riley. As she reads family correspondence, scans old photos and reviews press clippings, she is capturing three generations of a Chestnut Hill family whose roots date back to the 1870s.

In cataloging these items, Sonderskov collects information not just about the Troth-Riley family but also about Chestnut Hill businesses, institutions, schools and events of past generations. She will add this information to the Historical Society’s extensive database where community members can easily access it as they research and discover Chestnut Hill’s past.

When she is not digging deep into the stories of the past, Sonderskov works on the Board’s Program Committee writing articles and promoting the many interesting programs sponsored by the Historical Society. A woman with many interests and perspectives, she likes the chance to switch gears as she volunteers on the CHCA Board of Directors.

As the new Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee, she is anxious to pull community members together to address public safety challenges. “I want to work to educate the community on how to protect themselves and their property. I want to get people to understand the causes of crime.” She also looks forward to serving CHCA as the appointed representative member from the Chestnut Hill Senior Center.

Last month, Sonderskov began a new volunteer role when she assumed the position of President of the Board for Chestnut Hill Senior Center. Though she has been on the center’s board since 2003, she is excited to serve in a new capacity. Inspired by a variety of successful activities sponsored by the center, Sonderskov knows they can offer even more while reaching out to include other community members.

“The Senior Center is a not just for older seniors,” Sonderskov says. “Just recently a man in his early 50s became a member because he wanted to participate in our great activities.” She lists the Tai Chi and yoga classes, bridge group, language classes, guest lectures and organized trips as just a few of the activities available at the center.

The next few years will keep Meredith very busy, she knows. Sonderskov was once asked by a friend why she spends so much time volunteering. Her friend told her that one person is not going to make that much of a difference. Sonderskov vehemently disagreed.

She firmly believes that people do make a difference, and every contribution made by each individual impacts the community. Her philosophy is very simple: “You are part of a community. You need to make sure you contribute to that community in whatever way possible.”

It is a motto Sonderskov has lived by. Lucky for us, she lives in Chestnut Hill!

To learn more about volunteering, you can contact the Chestnut Hill Historical Society (215-247-0417 or chhist.org) or the Chestnut Hill Senior Center, 7999 Crittenden St. (215-248-0180).