Grossman wins volunteer award

WALNUT — “I was humbled and honored,” Janet Grossman said. “I was aware that Shellee Monier (activities director at Walnut Manor) had filled out paperwork to nominate me, but I still could not believe that I could be honored with such an award.”

Grossman was recently named Illinois Health Care Association’s Volunteer of the Year. Grossman has been a volunteer for Walnut Manor for 35 years. Her specialty involves music. 

“There is a monthly calendar that hangs in the hallway, informing residents and families of the month’s events,” Monier said. “Janet’s events are always first come, first served, with many residents foregoing refreshments, just so they can have a seat in the front row.”

 Grossman’s special talents lie in the game “Name That Tune,” where she will play a variety of songs, either on her keyboard or an organ, and the residents have to guess the title of the song. 

“When I play this game with them, I know that my music is helping them. Having to remember titles of songs helps with brain stimulation, which is so important to maintain, the older a person gets,” Grossman said.

Grossman plays a variety of instruments for the residents. She brings with her a German street organ, as well as an old-fashioned monkey organ. 

“Perhaps the most popular instrument I bring with me, though, is a “boomba,” Grossman said. “It is a rhythmic instrument which includes bells, a snare drum, tambourine, cow bell and cymbal. I pass it around to the residents, and they take turns playing it, while I am performing for them.”

Grossman is 75 years young and does not see herself slowing down any time soon.

“I love volunteering here,” she said. “The residents are wonderful. I leave each visit with the satisfaction of knowing that I have made a few peoples’ lives happier for that day.”

Monier, the instigator in notifying the Illinois Health Care Association with regards to Grossman’s volunteerism, was thrilled another volunteer from Walnut Manor was being given this award. 

“There are approximately 800 nursing homes within the State of Illinois with the number of volunteers in the thousands. Janet is the second volunteer from Walnut Manor to receive this prestigious award within the last three years,” Monier said. “This is a huge deal for our nursing home, knowing that we have volunteers of this level of caring, working with our residents on a daily basis.”