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Volunteer Perspectives
RSVP Volunteer Evonne, listening to a 5th grade student read.
Responding to a newspaper article placed by RSVP looking for volunteers to help with the America Reads Challenge,
Evonne, a retired teacher with 40 years experience from Hopkins, decided that this program sounded like a good
way to put her skills and talents to work once again.
Evonne has volunteered with several senior programs in Hopkins after retirement,
but knew that when she moved to Bemidji she needed to work with children. She taught the 5th grade and asked to
be placed with children of the same age group. Evonne is very helpful to both the children she tutors and also
to whatever the teachers' needs are. The teacher also appreciates the extra effort that she makes to be so versatile.
Evonne has been with the America
Reads Program for two years now, and comments that she plans to be around
to volunteer for many more. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, knitting, nature and fishing.
America Reads has found a special volunteer that has a passion for both children
and their literacy needs. We appreciate Evonne for all her knowledge of children and her dedication to helping
the community. If you are someone who would like to make a difference in your community, consider becoming an RSVP volunteer. You, too,
can make a difference like Evonne does!
Grandma Delores at play.
Already content and busy with her "real" family, Grandma Delores still
found room in her life to be a Foster Grandparent for her "second" family, Kootasca Headstart. Mix a
grandmother (Delores) already totally involved with three grandsons (ages 10, 15, & 18), but still with room
to spare for others, with a Headstart program needing someone who could provide additional time for children, and
you have ingredients that blend perfectly.
Children love having Grandma Delores available each day to read to them, spend lunch
time right at their table, play outside and even do art activities. Staff can sense the difference that individual
attention provides their three to five year-old students. The children not only have a positive art critic but
also someone who can serve as a role model for manners at the lunch table and in other places.
Pam Saunders at the Kootasca Headstart says, "Delores is absolutely wonderful.
This is such a needed addition to our over-all program. She was ill recently and you could tell how much she was
missed!"
For Grandma Delores it is a chance to share her love for children and help them
become more independent as they develop. She says, "Children are so rewarding and being a part of Kootasca
Headstart and the Foster Grandparent Program is the most wonderful thing that could have happened to me. I feel wanted."
If you are a someone with time and love to give children in need, consider becoming
a Foster Grandparent.
You, too, can make a difference like Delores does!
Senior Companion Mary, playing cards with her client Willie, (center) and her husband
Art (right).
Mary has a special way of bringing out the best in her Senior Companion clients. Take Willie, for example,
and his love for cribbage. Each week Mary spends time with Willie, sometimes bringing her husband, Art, along with
her. She walks up behind Willie and says, "Hey, how about a game of cribbage?" Willie perks up and says,
"Is that you Mary?" Then they spend an hour or two visiting and playing their game.
This is something they have been doing for over a year, and it has turned into a
weekly event that they both look forward to. Mary says, "Willie is one of the nicest people that you will
ever meet. He loves to sit and visit, but doesn't have family or friends that are able to spend time with him.
So, I am able to fill in that gap for him. I help to take his mind off things, to keep him company, to give him
something to look forward to. In fact, we both look forward to our time together each week."
Mary is a wonderful Senior Companion. She is a true friend to her clients. If you
are a senior with time and patience to give senior citizens in need, consider becoming a Senior Companion. You can make a difference like Mary
does!
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