There is a core group of volunteers at the Summerland Seniors Village who have been there longer than the staff.
Bob Glover, who was nominated for Volunteer of the Year in 2008, does a lot of one-on-one visiting with the residents.
“What I like to specialize in, is visiting people that do not have anyone or those who are depressed. When they are passing away and have no one, I have gone in and held their hand at the last moment,” said Glover. “I find it very rewarding and I’ve met an awful lot of very nice people over the years.”
Arlene Milne has been volunteering at the facility for seven years. She describes herself as being one of the biggest huggers in the world. “I hug them all.”
Milne assists the residents in attending the entertainment events such as happy hour, church services, birthday parties, picnics and scenic drives.
“I go and get them. I’ll comb their hair and make sure that they have their shoes on,” she said.
Also in her seventh year of volunteering at the Seniors Village, is Cheryl Cunningham. She visits residents and accompanies them to appointments as well.
Cunningham also does some practical things for the residents. “Last week I brought glass cleaner and went around and cleaned everybody’s glasses,” she said.
Connecting with the people who live at the village is what she enjoys the most.
“I like to hear them talk about when they were younger and to look at their pictures,” she said. “I ask them questions because it makes them feel important. Their world has diminished. They were thriving family members with lots of children, jobs and activities. Now here they are in small rooms with not much more than a photo album,” she explained.
Sometimes the volunteers come across someone who is feeling a little unsure or is crying. They will take a few minutes to sit down and talk or take them for a cup of coffee. “Maybe we can just brighten their day a little bit,” said Cunningham.
Glover thinks there are several reasons why people choose to volunteer. It may be that they have known someone who has been cared for and it is a way for them to give back. Another reason may be that when people retire they need something to do.
“It gives you a rewarding feeling and it is a social thing too,” he said. “You get to know the residents and the other people who are volunteering.”
For the past 30 years, Sheilagh Hoffman has been volunteering her time to play the piano at several facilities.
“It’s wonderful for me too,” she said. “I just love playing to nice audiences and it keeps my skills up.”
The Recreation Volunteer and Adult Day Services Manager for the Seniors Village is Mary Beth Rutherford. She said functions run so much nicer with the help of the volunteers. “There is more visiting and socializing and it makes it that much more special for the residents,” she said. “We just want our house to be more and more of a home.”
Recently students have been coming in to help with bingo, bowling, arts and crafts and teaching technology.
“If people come in with an idea, we can see if we can make it work,” said Rutherford.
The Volunteers at the Summerland Seniors Village are viewed as part of the team, Rutherford said, adding that programs cannot run without them.
“We’ve been blessed with some long-term volunteers,” she said, “but we are always looking for more, that is for sure.”
The invitation to volunteer also comes from Milne. “I always suggest it to people, why don’t you come and volunteer?”
