Friends De li ver Together

LIFE ElderCare Volunteer Newsletter June 2012

Friends Deliver TogetherFor the past 20 years, Susan and Marilyn have been delivering meals to frail, homebound seniors.

Margot celebrates her 95th Birthday!

Judy and Margot have been visiting with each other for two and a half years. They share a common German ancestry. “Margot reminds me very much of my grandmother,” says Judy. “I immediately felt a connection with her. We do fun things together. Recently, I took her to my painting class and did her portrait. For our next adventure, I’m going to take Margot up to San Francisco on BART.” They also visit Margot’s friend, Annaliese, at a nearby care facility. ❧

Susan - I had a friend that used to deliver meals and thought it was something I might like to do, but at the time I still had a daughter who was in the lower grades and had to pick her up early from school. When she started going the full day I thought, I can do this now. I signed up in January 1993.

Marilyn was a neighbor and a good friend and I asked her if she wanted to deliver meals with me. We thought we were going to ease into it but the Coordinator said, “So, can you start tomorrow!” During the first 19 years there were only five times when we could not cover our shift.

It’s more fun to deliver with a friend; we usually have lunch together when we finish. I think the people we deliver to enjoy it too. Some of them see us as “the team” and worry if one of us doesn’t come.

Of course, not everyone wants a connection. Some people just leave their coolers out and we hardly ever see them. But there are other people we become friends with and when they go off the program Marilyn and I continue

to visit them. One woman was 98 and almost blind when we started delivering meals to her. We went to her 99th and 100th birthday parties. She outlived all of her five children.

You have more people in your life that are going to leave before you do and that’s hard, but on the other hand, the people we get to know add so much to our lives. The two hours of the week I deliver meals are when I feel most appreciated. Marilyn - It is nice to deliver together. Some people re-ally look forward to us coming and light up when they see us. It’s an important part of their day and for us as well.

We had one fellow, who at the beginning, definitely did not want us there. He was grumpy and distant but after he got to know us we became really close friends. When he later went into a convalescent home we continued to visit him until he passed away. His wife told us that our visits were the highlight of his week. For some people, the caring connection means more than the meal. ❧

Many of our new volunteers are invited to join by our current volunteers.

Do you know anyone who might be interested?

Meals On Wheels510-574-2086Friendly Visitors510-574-2097VIP Rides510-574-2094

It has been a privilege to have served as LIFE ElderCare’s Executive Director for the past twelve years and to have wit-nessed the tremendous sense of caring and dedication on behalf of the organiza-tion’s volunteers. You are the lifeline of our programs. You have given the most beautiful thing possible -- the gift of your time -- to make life better for the vulner-able members of our community.

Your ongoing acts of kindness, concern and friendship have resulted in not only a series of good deeds, but a legacy that says, “We all have one life to live and I am here with you now. I hear what you are saying and I care.”

What is more extraordinary than the discovery of another human being?

The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are mo-ments when we touch one another, when we are there in the most attentive or car-ing way. Laughing over a cup of tea can make the world fade away . . . in other words, it is your presence that makes the difference.

I am retiring from LIFE ElderCare effec-tive June 29 and I will miss you. How-ever, I will take with me the warmth and sense of commitment that exists within the Tri-City community on behalf of older adults.

You have given our seniors a second wind through the goodness that you have shared. What would our LIFE be without you? ❧

A Parting Message from Mary Anderson, Executive Director

When the opportunity came up to talk about problems during the 2012 LIFE ElderCare Meals On Wheels training session on June 4, the only question that was raised came from a male volunteer who asked, “What should I do when a 98-year-old participant wants to kiss me?”  The answer came from the man sitting next to him, “What’s her name?”  The laughter that followed set the tone for a delightful two hours of sharing, learning and joking among the 100 volunteer attendees. 

This year’s theme was based on the popular Jeopardy television show.  The LIFE ElderCare Meals On Wheels team created a Jeopardy game format to help volunteers refresh their knowledge of important safety and proce-dural issues, and added some fun facts about the history and highlights of the program. 

After being divided into two groups the volunteers chose a representative to push the buzzer to answer the questions.  A lively exchange of answers brought both laughter and insights.  Team A won the game and after being served dessert, complimentary prizes from Harriet Whitney of Harriet’s Hands and Anita Ford, were distributed. ❧

What do you do when a 98-year-old woman wants to kiss you?