Army veteran Linda Cheeks has been a pillar of service for more than four decades. Having joined the service in the early 1970s, it was there the Henderson, TX, native first honed many critical competencies, including structure and discipline.
Cheeks has taken those vital traits and applied them to different facets of her life, like becoming a foster parent to 20 teenagers over the course of 15 years. In fact, it was through this undertaking that she won Prince Williams County’s Foster Parent of the Year award earlier this year.
Now, a TV audience that viewed a spotlight segment Sept. 25 on NBC’s “Today” show knows all about her — including the fact that she generously offers her hairdressing services to nursing home residents and other needy individuals.
The hair salon owner of more than 20 years is also continuing her benevolence by providing free and discounted cosmetology services to nursing homes and senior centers in the Washington, DC, area. Among them is August Healthcare at Leewood in Annandale, VA.
The 157-bed facility is home to both elderly and short-term disability residents, populations that Cheeks told McKnight’s Long-Term Care she loves working with.
When people at the facility heard about Cheeks’ “Today Show” feature, they couldn’t think of anyone more deserving.
“The staff and residents were thrilled and had a watch party for the segment,” Ann Quinnan, August Healthcare’s business development manager, told McKnight’s. “It was well deserved due to her compassion, hard work and dedication.”
Ben Cohen, August Healthcare’s CEO, agrees that Cheeks has been a pleasure to work with and endorses her new found recognition.
“Linda has been at our Leewood center for two years and truly embodies our company motto ‘Distinguished Care,’” he said. “Linda’s love and care for her residents and family are a true testament to the remarkable person that she is. We look forward to many more years of her incredible presence at August Healthcare.”
Whether it’s providing guardianship to foster children or a new hairstyle to senior citizens, Cheeks says the reward for her service is her ability to change lives.
“It’s not all about money, but it’s about helping people. I have a love for people,” she said during the segment.
It’s that kind of virtue that caught the eye of the TV producers, and other key people.
As part of the “Today” show appearance, Cheeks was given a brand new mini-van at the end of the “Honoring Heroes Among Us” segment she was featured in, courtesy of sponsor Progressive’s veteran vehicle giveaway program, Keys to Progress.
