Earlier this year I interviewed a woman in her 50s who was seeking a volunteer position at our nursing home. Her ministerhad instructed her congregation to give of themselves for Lent rather than togive something up. So this woman wanted to volunteer for Lent and thoughtshe'd see if we had an opportunity for her.
While we were having our discussion about possiblevolunteer jobs she might like to do, one of our residents was returning from adoctor's visit and wheeled himself past us on his way to his room. Thiswoman recognized the resident as someone she thought she knew.
We went to his room to meet him, and sure enough,they knew each other. It was immediately arranged that this woman woulddo her volunteering at our nursing home by visiting this resident several timesa week. Also, her husband knew this resident, too, and would accompanyhis wife occasionally on her visits.
All went well for weeks and both the new volunteerand the resident were delighted with the arrangement. Then as Lent wasbeginning to come to a close I encountered my volunteer in the hallway and mentionedthat Lent was almost over. I had almost completed my sentence of askingher to stay when she interrupted me with "Would it be okay if I stayedafter Lent?" I said I had hoped for just that response.
What a wonderful story and even more wonderful thatit happened to us - staff, volunteer and resident alike.
-Submitted by Kansas City Presbyterian Manor
