Want to lend a helping hand?
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| Sam Splitt (left) spends time recently with Walnut Manor resident John Bacorn during a Bingo game at the nursing home. The nursing home is seeking more people to volunteer their time with the residents for any number of activities, including writing letters, reading to them or just visiting. (BCR photo/Kim Parker) |
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WALNUT — No experience or training needed. Fill out a simple application, and the job belongs to you. You can set your own hours, stay as little or as long as you like.
What other job will let you do that? Plus, the benefits are amazing! Where else can you go to get free hugs, smiles and the knowledge that you made someone’s day by just being their friend?
The volunteers at Walnut Manor will tell you that it is the best job in the world. Linda Graff has been a volunteer for four years now and loves every minute of time she spends with the residents of Walnut Manor.
“My real reason for volunteering is I am buying some time for a room here for myself,” Graff joked. “Seriously, this is a wonderful place to volunteer.” Graff was instrumental in starting up a group called Bunko Banshees at Walnut Manor — a group of residents who enjoy playing the game of Bunko.
Karen Meisenheimer has been volunteering since her mother, Eloise Kepner became a resident.
“My mother has been here about three and a half years now, and I guess for the last three years or so, when I visit, I stay and help. I enjoy the storytelling and Bingo. I also help with exercise classes, singing and Bunko,” Meisenheimer said, adding the residents are very nice and always helpful.
Currently there are 12 volunteers who donate their time and energy to come and assist the residents of Walnut Manor. The volunteers, though, are not just adults or family members of the residents. Walnut Manor happens to have two youngsters, who seem to live for the time they get to spend with the senior citizens.
Joseph Peters is 10 years old and has been volunteering for about a year. This past summer, he spent the bulk of it — a part of almost every day — at Walnut Manor helping out. He has an “adopted” grandparent who lives there, Gert Eckberg, and Joseph says “that getting to spend time with her is worth it.” Joseph helps out with Bingo, Bunko and was able to help when the circus came to visit. He enjoys going on van runs also.
Shellee Monier, the activities coordinator for Walnut Manor, spoke of how much Joseph is appreciated around the facility.
“One day this past summer, I commented that the wheelchairs needed to be washed. Before I knew it, Joseph had canvassed the neighborhood and found six of his friends. Soon after that, we had clean wheelchairs, all with thanks to Joseph and his crew of six,” she said.
Sam Splitt is currently in seventh grade and has been volunteering for just over a year.
“I started to come in sometimes with my mom, (Sania Splitt), who works here. After a while, I just started to come in on my own. I really enjoy playing Bunko; I am a regular volunteer for that game,” she said.
Earlier this year, Sam was a contestant in the Bureau County Fair Junior Miss Pageant.
“When the residents heard that I was entering, they decided to help me. They critiqued my walk and my speech. I was grateful to them, and they really enjoyed helping me out,” she said.
Volunteers for the most part, come and go, but in Ellen Anderson’s case, she is here to stay. Ellen was a volunteer for Walnut Manor for almost 20 years. She is now a resident of the Manor but is still caught trying to volunteer when you least expect it.
Walnut Manor puts on many special events that always need volunteers. From the Christmas program to the Valentine’s Day party, employees and volunteers alike are what make these events possible.
It’s just not the daily/annual programs that need volunteers though. Throughout each year, other events and projects take place, and in order for the residents to be able to enjoy them, volunteers once again make the difference.
Walnut Manor would like to encourage anyone who has a few free moments to stop in and check out some volunteering opportunities. Volunteering can be very worthwhile and a blessing for the residents. It is a rewarding job with heartwarming benefits for all.
For more information about volunteering at Walnut Manor, you may contact Monier at (815) 379-2131.
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