Good Samaritan Society center in Arlington celebrates 50 years

ARLINGTON — The Good Samaritan Society, which celebrates its century anniversary this year, has been serving the Arlington community for 50 years. The center, at 100 Powell Drive, is now a 106-bed campus that features a variety of housing options along with an exercise room, gathering places and walking pathways. A small ceremony marking the anniversaries will be held today at the center in Arlington. According to information provided on the society's website, the Rev. August "Dad" Hoeger worked as a parish pastor in North Dakota in the early 1920s. At the time, a fellow minister was raising money to help a young boy with polio. His fundraising exceeded its goal by $2,000, and Hoeger suggested the extra money be used to help people with disabilities. As a result, the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society was incorporated under North Dakota law on Sept. 29, 1922. It was founded as a religious, charitable and not-for-profit corporation. The first Good Samaritan Society center opened in a rented six-room house in Arthur, North Dakota, in March 1923. It was commonly referred to as the Arthur House. Though it was founded as a center for those with physical and mental disabilities, the society soon found it needed to expand its services. Shortly after opening, an elderly man on crutches came to Hoeger and asked to be admitted. It was later discovered that he didn't need crutches but had pretended so he would have a place to stay. This incident demonstrated to Hoeger and others the need for services for the elderly, in addition to those with disabilities. While the Great Depression provided the society with some growth opportunities, it created serious financial challenges. By 1940, these difficulties prompted the society's board of directors to split the organization into two bodies: Lutheran Hospitals and Homes, which held 24 of the 28 institutions; and the Good Samaritan Society which was left with the remaining homes. Burdened with debts, the society seemed doomed to fall into bankruptcy. Hoeger and a few loyal co-workers set about rebuilding the organization. By 1952, the society was serving seven states with 32 centers. As communities sought services for seniors and others in need, the society's growth continued. Fast forward to 1969 when the Good Samaritan Society was called on to assist the village of Arlington plan for the future of older citizens. Town leaders formed a board and worked with the society to develop the Arlington Good Samaritan Center which opened in July of 1972. Seven years later, two duplexes were added. And in 1982, Arlington Good Samaritan Manor, a 40-unit HUD apartment building was constructed next to the center.