Helen Biddle Porter had been a successful Moorestown businesswoman and member of the Estaugh Board when she moved to Medford Leas in 1971. In September of that year, she called the residents together and began their regular Monday evening meetings for discussion of mutual problems. In November of that year, the group elected officers. They called themselves the Residents Council, a name changed to Medford Leas Residents Association when they adopted their first constitution. To this day, MLRA meets on Monday evening, but only once a month.
Helen Biddle Porter also originated the Sewing and Knitting Group, which met every Monday morning, but now meets on Wednesdays. For single people, she planned the Buddy System, which became the Friendly Visitors.
And she started the Gift Shop, which was first set up in a laundry room in Court 1. Until 1981, the shop was run by two or three residents who did all the buying, pricing, and selling, creating a financial surplus each year. At different times, profits have been given to the Activities Fund, the Employee Appreciation Fund, and the Reserve Fund, a fund that helps residents who need assistance to meet expenses.
The Thrift Shop was opened in 1976, initially to allow staff to buy items that residents no longer needed or wanted. Since residents were not permitted to give gifts to employees, the Thrift Shop became a way to make their possessions available. Initially, an MLRA Board member was in charge and staff of Environmental Services used handtrucks to move heavy objects to or from apartments. The Director of Environmental Services also served as the cashier until 1979.
Today, one resident is in charge, another is treasurer, and dozens sort, display, and sell the mountains of donations that are received every week. Maintenance staff moves heavy items to and from apartments.
Over the years, residents working in the Thrift Shop have become expert in finding outlets for items that are unsold at Medford Leas. Valuable jewelry and antiques are sold to dealers. Unsold clothing and furniture might go to Goodwill Industries or the Extended Hand in Mount Holly. Books sometimes go to the Burlington County Library or to a book dealer.
Funds raised through Thrift Shop sales support the Nurses Scholarship Fund. Like the Gift Shop’s profits, at one time they went to the Reserve Fund and the Employee Appreciation Fund.
In December 1971 the residents held a Christmas Appreciation Party for staff and residents. Each staff member received a gift of money and a fruit cake. Thus began the Medford Leas tradition of financial gifts to staff. The entertainment evolved to what is by now the highlight of every year, the Employee Holiday Show.
Beginning in August 1971, a one-bedroom apartment was made available for over-night guests, a tradition that grew into the current arrangements for guests in several guest rooms and a guest cottage.
During its 40 years, Medford Leas has acquired many other traditions: the Display Case, which changes every 2-3 months; bridge on Wednesdays and Fridays; tennis; Sports Day on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day; art shows put on by the Studio artists; the Art Gallery; an annual flower show; a Passover Seder; the scarecrow walk; gingerbread houses; holiday decorations that now include Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.