Just Checking In
Since St. Joseph’s Home began over 54 years ago, volunteers have reached out their hearts and hands in service to lighten our tasks in meeting the many needs of the elderly that we serve.
During this time when for our safety, we must limit access to our Home, our volunteers are not able to be here.
For some long-time volunteers this is the first time in 40+ years that they aren’t making beds, folding laundry, driving Residents to their doctor appointments, accompanying them to the store, peeling carrots and potatoes, calling bingo and much more.
Our dear volunteers are a vital part of our family and we miss them! We miss their friendship, their help and their smiling faces. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder…Our hearts were already very fond of each of our volunteers and now their absence definitely leaves a void. But, rest assured we carry each one in our prayers and look forward to the day (hopefully soon) when we will all be together again.
One of our volunteer couples – Pam and Lou Akins, wrote us this beautiful note.
Hello ~
Because Lou takes some of the Residents to their doctors at different times, we have their phone numbers. While no appointments are happening right now and I’m not making beds on the 2nd and 3rd floors or taking care of the Country Store, we don’t get to see our friends at the Home. I decided to call to see how they are doing and I wanted you to know their comments.
We know you are having to do so much more for them with everyone staying in their rooms for the most part. Over and over their appreciation comes through — having Holy Communion being brought to each of them if they want to receive, how you bring the cart in the morning with breakfast item choices, paper menus so they can choose their lunches and dinners, their being able to sit in their doorways for meals, the coffee or tea refills being offered, being able to still play Bingo, the joyful faces you offer even though they know you must be exhausted at the end of each day, always being asked with a smile if they need anything. So many times, I have heard how wonderful the Little Sisters and their employees are to each person.
We already knew that St. Joseph’s Home is a great place for our elderly and wanted you to know what is being said by your Residents. Lou and I keep all of you in our prayers each day and we look forward to when we can be working together at St. Joseph’s Home again.
May God keep all of you in His Loving Care,
Lou and Pam Akins
Just Checking In