What a joy it is when seniors reach out and help seniors through volunteering their time, thoughtfulness, care and kindness. There are so many volunteers who brighten the days of others who need a bit of help.
For example, at the Red Willow Seniors Association centre, there are many volunteer staff and others for various activities of the centre, who give of themselves – time, skills and talents – to better the moments for others. As you walk into the home, there is always a friendly, smiling face greeting you warmly with a “Hello, how are you today? How may I help you?” or “Good to see you – do have a nice day!”
This greeting is very touching and presents a good feeling to a senior. Sometimes we overlook and take for granted it’s their duty to be there. I, however, feel that these volunteers should be recognized and praised. Further, I say there are many other individuals, people who contribute their time and are involved in volunteerism at this centre.
One important service that is provided to seniors through volunteers is senior drivers who come forward to offer their time to other seniors' needs in providing a ride to appointments for those not able to go themselves. This is the service I receive from the centre. I am a seniors’ member and I am ever so grateful that I joined. These drivers who volunteer are very dedicated and caring, very helpful, warm and friendly, kind and thoughtful – arriving for pick-up in plenty of time and seeing that you are on time for your appointments. They cope sometimes with bad weather conditions, construction and heavy traffic. Along the route many interesting conversations come into being – they have good listening ears and kind responses. They all should be recognized and given a special ‘thank you’. Therefore, I do appreciate what each one helps me with: I say, a special bouquet of roses and thank you all. I also would greatly hope that when you yourselves need this service, that it be returned to you in the same kindness.
The Red Willow Seniors Association, St. Albert, Alberta, offers and provides many other services and there are many activities that one may undertake and benefit much joy. Just to name some: Meals On Wheels, transportation, luncheons, exercise programs, music entertainments, floor curling, art, sewing, euchre, Scrabble, bingo, and there is a choir, The Groovy Gang, with a director, piano accompaniment and choir members who come together to practice various pieces of songs and volunteer their time to sing to all those in the various lodges, to bring a moment of joy, make them feel important – many times they are a part of singing, so they are not just our audience. Definitely, the choir is of a great essence.
To conclude: The centre is a very important facility and we should all be thankful of its existence. Here is where we support each other, become like a family; a meeting place for all seniors. Many blessings that we have all this to occupy our senior moments – senior life – and mainly of being a volunteer – giving of oneself to others is the GREATEST GIFT TO OTHERS. I, today, give you my voice for you all, to read how grateful I am to you all. Thank you!
Mary Cienkowski, St. Albert
