Make a Difference in Your Community!

Being a Guardian for the Elderly in Stark County has brought a new light to my life. It is a proven fact that those who volunteer are happier and live a more fulfilling life. Having Mary and Anna in my life is like having two new friends to experience a new beginning with and hopefully what will become a lifelong friendship.

What I get out of volunteering is just a feeling of satisfaction that I've done something good for somebody. I hope that if I'm ever in their shoes one day that somebody would come and be a friend to me ... and be a guardian to me if I needed one.

We probably get more out of this than what the wards do. Because we go interact with them and see their responses...and we leave with a wonderful feeling and know that we've done something good.

One of my most important relationships is with my ward, Mary. I've been with her for 3 years now and she is like a grandmother to me. I visit her monthly and when she's willing, I take her out. She's come for Christmas and last Easter she spent with me and my family at my house. It has strengthened my life and strengthened my family. My family is involved and they ask how Mary's doing. All my friends know about her. They know about our special relationship. I love my Mary. I love her.

We just enjoy going - just to see that brightness in their eyes when they see us walk in the door.

Every visit that I make is a memorable moment to me.

Debra was so pleasant and so very polite to everyone in the store! She tried on a million different things and had a ball! We marked all of her new items with her name. Together we got rid of old items to make room for the new. We had a great day!

I took Helen an Easter basket filled with bath items today. I opened them so she could smell them and she enjoyed that. She was smiling and talking today.