Tillsonburg Retirement Residence recognized its volunteers last Thursday in advance of the April 14-20 National Volunteer Week.
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Seven volunteers were honored with certificates at their spring open house, including Jacob Flores, 18, a graduating Grade 12 student at Glendale High School in Tillsonburg, who has been earning volunteer hours serving at Tillsonburg Retirement Residence since February.
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“I visit residents, talk to them,” Flores said. “I do different activities with them such as artwork, playing pool (there is a pool table downstairs), mini table games, cards, bingo… I’m enjoying it so far.”
“My favorite card game was euchre,” said resident Mary Epple, who was visiting with Flores on April 11.
“I was good, too,” she smiled, noting she also played 500, a variation of euchre.
“The people here are really nice and I like to socialize with them,” said Flores, who has a sister-in-law working at a retirement home who suggested he try it for his volunteer hours.
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“They are fun to be with and they treated me nice,” he said. “I’ve become friends with a few residents here.”
It’s a volunteer role he would recommend to other students.
“I would, of course, because you get to socialize with other people, and you get to do a lot of things basically.”
Open house events, known as Elevate, are held monthly at Tillsonburg Retirement Residence, said Karen Shaw, general manager.
“The theme is different every month,” said Shaw. “This month is about celebrating volunteers and all they bring to this home. Their contributions are so valid here, especially with Jacob – it’s nice to have really young perspective.”
Also recognized at the open house were S. Hudson and the Calton Choir Group.
“(Hudson) has been a fixture in this building as long as I’ve been here,” Shaw said. “She does bible study, and she does the ladies’ nails once a week. They have a little nail salon in the sunroom and they really look forward to it.”
About 95 per cent of the residents participated in the April 11 volunteer open house, said Natasha Henry, life enrichment manager, which included ‘great food and socialization.’
“Our volunteers are very important,” said Henry, “so appreciating our volunteers is a huge part of our community and within the home.
“Jacob, he’s a teenager and he can have fun with the residents, play sports. It kind of just brings out the laughter with them. They really enjoy having Jacob volunteer here.”
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