Family spreads comfort, joy to those in need

She and her children have used the holiday season as an opportunity to volunteer and spread Christmas joy around the community.

“My kids and I have always been involved in volunteering and helping,” Satterfield said.

Last month, Adrienne Satterfield, her daughters Jenna and Jaala, and some family friends spent a Saturday at Paradise Springs Independent Senior Living Community putting up Christmas decorations and visiting with the residents, an experience that she found to be extremely rewarding.

“Volunteering and helping other people is what brings me Christmas joy,” Satterfield said. “Putting smiles on other people’s faces and being around people and communicating with people.”

Originally, she planned on dropping her children off at the facility and returning home, but when she got there, she knew that she could not miss out on such an opportunity.

“I was very close to my grandfather,” Satterfield said. “I just have a soft spot in my heart for elderly people and just love being around them, so I wanted to stay and hang out, have fun and decorate the tree.”

The excursion to Paradise Springs was just one of many charitable and volunteer efforts Satterfield has been involved with, however. The family also participated in JoyRide, a therapeutic rehabilitation center where children with disabilities ride horses as part of their therapy.

“All summer, for about eight weeks, the girls and I would drive out there once or twice a week, and they had a particular rider they worked with,” Satterfield said.

When she is not helping out in the community, Satterfield is helping out at home, taking care of her four children, the youngest of which is now 4 years old.

“It’s funny because about every five or six years, my husband and I would have another child, so it’s like we would press 'restart,' ” Satterfield said. “I’ve had a toddler or preschooler for about 16 years now.”

In addition to being a full-time mom, Satterfield also works part-time in the financial services industry. A licensed insurance agent already, she hopes to become a financial planner in the future. She will start taking courses to become licensed this month.

“I plan to continue being a business owner and just helping a lot of people make smart financial decisions in these uncertain times,” Satterfield said.

About Adrienne Satterfield
Age: 35
Occupation: Stay-at-home mother/financial services worker
Community Connection: Volunteers at JoyRide in Magnolia
Fast Fact: Satterfield describes herself as an avid reader

Chris Marshall is a freelance writer. He can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.