For almost twenty years, Chip Hullender has been driven to foster connection and joy in Harmony on the Lakes . From organizing lively pool parties and bringing in Kona Ice trucks to hosting live music events, setting up pickleball matches, and leading charity golf cart poker runs, Chip’s unwavering mission has been to unite neighbors.
A Christmas Wish for Home that Never Has to Be Left
Yet beneath these festive gatherings lies a deeper story. As a father to an adult son with special needs, Chip knows firsthand the complex challenges faced by caregivers — chronic anxiety about the future, emotional highs and lows, the isolating nature of round – the – clock care, and the persistent weight of responsibility. The concept of “community” took on new signif icance for Chip and his wife, Brandi, as they grappled with a difficult question: “What will happen to our son when we’re no longer here?” The reality is stark: without
meaningful alternatives, many adults with disabilities are placed in state – run care facilities after losing their parents or primary caregivers.
One evening, during a cherished Christmas tradition — a golf cart ride with his son to admire holiday lights — the weight of their future became deeply felt. Brandi’s sincere Christmas wish inspired a pivotal decision: they would champion the creation of an independent living community right in their beloved Cherokee County. Chip and Brandi envisioned a place where adults with disabilities and seniors needing support could remain
among frien ds, maintain a sense of purpose, and confidently transition when their families or caregivers could no longer be present. Their conviction was simple yet profound — no one should have to leave their home simply because they require assistance. At that time, such a community was not yet available in the area, but their vision was to change that, ensuring that “home” would always remain within reach.
Envisioning a Community of Support
Chip’s commitment to this mission became an annual tradition with his original Christmas song, “Riding by Christmas Lights,” serving as a reminder to support the neighborhood’s most vulnerable — seniors, families with special needs, and caregivers. While Harmony on the Lakes is largely made up of neurotypical families, it is also home to many seniors and more than twenty families with special needs children and adults, all of whom occasionally require assistance. Chip began collaborating with county officials, developers, and senior
and disability advocates to explore how such a community could take shape, determined to make a lasting impact for those who need it most.
Determined to establish an independent community, Chip dedicated significant time and effort to finding the perfect piece of land. However, a chance encounter with a stranger provided a transformative perspective: “Why not build it right where you already are?” Around this pivotal moment, Chip became involved with the Cherokee Collective — a grassroots initiative led by Zip Cain — where neighbors unite to address community
needs as they arise. Observing how requests were swiftly met with acts of kindness, Chip came to recognize that the supportive, interconnected community he had envisioned was already thriving in Harmony on the Lakes, surrounded by caregivers — past, present, and future — ready to help one another.
A pivotal spiritual experience further affirmed Chip’s journey. During a period of personal doubt, a meaningful conversation with his son about his near death experience prompted deep reflection. That evening, Chip experienced a renewed sense of faith and clarity, feeling reassured of a greater presence guiding his efforts. At his point, the story transitions from being solely about Chip to encompassing a broader faith in God and the strong sense of community that Deirdre Newton describes as one big family.
Hearts in Harmony Takes Shape
In 2022, Chip placed an ad in the neighborhood newsletter, reaching out for volunteers willing to assist residents facing challenges. Despite his good intentions, the response was minimal. However, by January 2025, a remarkable change began to take root as o ne neighbor reached out, asking for someone to sit with her husband with dementia so she could attend a support group. Soon after, another request surfaced for rides to
chemotherapy appointments at Northside Hospital, and yet another neighbor organized a meal train to support a grieving resident after the loss of a partner. Through thes e compassionate gestures, the spirit of community and the vision for a neighborhood – wide collective began to reemerge and take hold.
The formation of the Hearts in Harmony Facebook group marked a pivotal step in cultivating a compassionate and resilient community within Harmony on the Lakes. Conceived as a private collective for residents, the group quickly became a lifeline for neighbo rs seeking connection and support. The phrase “like – hearted” evolved from mere words into a guiding principle, as individuals rallied together to demonstrate genuine care
for one another. Membership grew swiftly, fueled by residents eager to make a difference. Mandy Lynn took the initiative to warmly welcome new families, while Paige Robertson dedicated herself to supporting both new parents and those facing personal challenges. Deirdre New ton organized medical equipment loans, senior Bingo games,
and regular wellness check – ins, extending a steady hand of support to those in need. Lindsey Turner began crafting handwritten cards and notes, spreading encouragement across the neighborhood, and local artisan Rob Rudeski contributed custom memorial plaques, engraved vases, keychains, and a variety of heartfelt 3D – printed keepsakes to remind recipients they were not alone. The spirit of collaboration flourished further
through volunteers like Linda Wilkins, Lara Sparkman, and Angela Hunter, who generously offered their time and creativity. Residents started donating their unique talents, handmade cards, vases, gift baskets, and prayers, responding to needs as they arose. In this nurturing environmen t, Harmony on the Lakes became more than just a neighborhood — it became a family.
Like – Hearted Neighbors in Action
At the heart of Hearts in Harmony is a commitment to caring for the most vulnerable — seniors, people with disabilities, and those experiencing hardship. Importantly, this support flows both ways: when neurotypical residents encounter loss or adversity, thos e who were once recipients of help often find renewed purpose in offering assistance themselves. This reciprocal care strengthens the bonds of community and fosters a culture of empathy and shared responsibility.
Looking ahead to 2026, Hearts in Harmony aims to deepen its impact by engaging seniors through Bingo and a vibrant community garden, supporting parents and caregivers of children with disabilities, and extending a helping hand to any resident facing diffic ulties. With 1,700 homes filled with diverse talents, wisdom, and resources, the neighborhood stands ready to mobilize its God – given gifts in service of all. In Harmony on the
Lakes, the true measure of community is found in the kindness freely given — and r eceived — by neighbors who care.
One poignant example of purposeful connection within the Harmony on the Lakes community unfolds when a neighbor signals that someone is going through a difficult time. In response, a senior resident creates a handcrafted card, another neighbor pens a thoughtful message inside, and Dawson — Chip Hullender’s son,
who lives with disabilities — personally delivers the card, embodying the spirit of compassion and inclusion that defines the Hearts in Harmony network.
Looking to the Future
T he long – term vision for Harmony on the Lakes is to integrate assisted living options directly into the neighborhood, anchored by the supportive Hearts in Harmony collective. This approach would allow aging parents to remain close to loved ones, accessible by a simple golf cart ride, while enabling seniors to continue living in their homes with the support they need — including end – of – life care. Most importantly, it offers adults
with disabilities a safe, inclusive, and familiar environment, ensuring Harmony o n the Lakes becomes a true life – plan community where no one faces life’s challenges alone.
A Call to Action : It Only Takes One Gesture of Compassion
The central, and perhaps most profound, lesson is this: Communities don’t have to wait for perfect blueprints or new developments to foster genuine support. The foundation for a caring, resilient neighborhood already exists in the places we call home. It o nly takes a single, compassionate gesture — a meal delivered, a handwritten card, a ride to a medical appointment, or a neighbor lending equipment — to spark meaningful change. These acts, carried out by like – minded individuals, create a web of connection that safeguards all
members from facing life’s hardships alone.
What makes this message especially powerful is the journey behind it. The story begins with deeply personal concerns — like the universal question parents of vulnerable adults ask: “What happens when we’re gone?” — and finds hope in the everyday. A simple golf cart ride beneath Christmas lights became the catalyst for transformation. Chip and those around him discovered that the real power lies in small beginnings: a call forhelp in a neighborhood newsletter, a private group connecting neighbors, and a steady stream of support —meals, cards, rides, and shared resources — delivered by caring hands just next door.
Rooted in the values of faith, family, and the example set by the Cherokee Collective, this initiative demonstrates the profound impact that everyday individuals can have when they unite to support seniors, families facing adversity, and adults with disabi lities — all within the comfort of their own neighborhood.
At its core, this story issues a sincere call to action : Take a look around. Extend a helping hand. Beginsomething meaningful. The community you live in holds the potential to become the safety net that so manyneed — a network of compassion, resilience, and hope waiting to be activated by your kindness.
To learn more about how you can help build a community for disabled adults and their parents and caregivers,visit ridingbychristmaslights.com . Hearts in Harmony is a private group open only to Harmony residents.
“There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” — Rosalynn Carter
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