Fantastic Volunteers Make Fan Drive a Success!

Belinda Luna is a CSS volunteer that goes above and beyond. She not only drives Meals-on-Wheels routes for us, but was one of the first ones to volunteer for the Fan drive last weekend. She is always behind the scenes when we need help. She took 43 fans home after the Fan Drive so her and her family can put them together for our clients. She not only is putting them together but also storing them at her home for us. We appreciate all the hard work and the continued dedication from her and her family. It is great to have volunteers like them that make this program so successful, and pleasant to work with.

Welcome Amanda!

Amanda Gunter joins the Foster Grandparent Program in June as the program director, replacing Hal Combs. The program is currently in need of about 10 or so new Foster Grandparents and I believe Amanda is perfectly suited for that challenge. Amanda brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the program and we are excited to have her.

Spotlight on Southeast Senior Center Member

Arleena Johnson, a lifelong resident of the city, has been an active member at the Southeast Senior Center for 14 years. If you’ve ever been to the center, you’ve probably seen her. Arleena attends the center daily and has held several positions on the advisory board, including serving as president for 6 years.

Arleena is a genuine person with a good heart. If a member becomes ill, she personally delivers them a get-well card; if a member has a birthday, she decorates a table for them at lunch; if a member passes away, she sends the family a sympathy card. All these gestures are done with pure sincerity.

While at the Southeast Senior Center Arleena participates in ceramics and dominoes but she says what she enjoys most about the center is being in the presence of good company.” She encourages other members to participate in wellness and social activities offered. "the senior center is a great way to keep senior citizens in the community active and it gives them something to look forward to each day,” she said.

-DeAnna Bowers, SESC Director

RSVP 2011 Expo

Have you or someone you know been searching for the right volunteer opportunity? There are needs for volunteers in Midland in every area from Habitat for Humanity, Meals-on-Wheels, Midland Memorial Hospital, Hospice and so much more! Midland Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) invites all current and potential volunteers to Expo 2011. The Expo will be held June 16th at First Baptist Church, 2104 W. Louisiana Ave in Midland from 9:30 – 11:30 am. in the Fellowship Hall. The Expo is a wonderful opportunity designed to recruit new volunteers, recognize existing volunteers and allow everyone to enjoy a morning of good food and fun! Jumburrito will provide the breakfast burritos, enjoy the passport game and win a door prizes.

Midland RSVP is a national volunteer program that targets mature adults providing them with the opportunity to enrich their lives through volunteer service. Mature adults 55 years and older are matched to the volunteer opportunity best suited to their own skills and interests. Service opportunities are available through over 89 non-profit agencies and organizations in Midland. "I enjoy volunteering at the Petroleum Museum," a long-time RSVP volunteer said, "It gives me something to look forward to each week."

For more information please call Saul or Jeannette at 689-6693 today!

Helen Chappell: Midland Senior Center Outstanding Member of the Quarter

Helen Chappell has been a member at the Midland Senior Center for four years. Helen was born and raised in Paris, Texas and married Marshall Chappell in 1945. Helen and Marshall moved to West Texas and worked on a farm for 25 years, and later moved to Midland when their children were teenagers. Helen and Marshall have three children, eight grandkids and three great grandkids! Helen and Marshall shared 60 years together!

Helen said she loves to come to the Midland Senior to play Chicken Foot, work on puzzles, play 42 and do ceramics! She said ceramics is her favorite part of the Center, and she loves all the members! Helen can be observed telling the members who sit across the table putting puzzles together that she loves them. “I’m not dead yet,” she said, “I plan to enjoy life.” On occasion Helen cooks and brings food to the center, and she always makes sure the staff gets some of her goodies. Linda Jackson, Midland Senior Center Director, said most of the members at the Midland Senior Center have been spoiled by Miss Helen.

“My all-time favorite meal is fried bologna, fried potatoes, cream gravy, red beans, cornbread, tomatoes, onion and coconut pie for dessert,” Helen said.

The Midland Senior Center is located in Kingsway Mall at 3303 W. Illinois. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Hot lunches served 11:40 a.m. For more information call 681-7636.

Handymen Helping the Homebound

The fastest growing segment of our population is the group 85 years and older. Many of these people are low-income, frail and living alone. As they grow older they are in need of health and safety repairs and adaptations to their homes. Unfortunately, many do not have the financial resources to pay for these services. Once an elderly person becomes frail and disabled, they need changes made to their homes such as adding grab bars in the bathroom and building a wheelchair ramp to their front door. They may also need minor repairs to their homes to ensure their safety, including replacing doors, widening doorframes, and installing deadbolt locks.
The CSS Handyman Program helps seniors remain safe and secure in their own homes for as long as possible.In 2010, 99 projects were completed including installing grab-bars, building wheelchair ramps, repairing locks, etc… "I love my new wheelchair ramp," a client said, the gentleman was so nice too."

MOWs Volunteers with Texas-Size Hearts

Volunteer driver Robert Ramirez has enthusiastically tackled, on a regular basis, two of our most difficult Meals-on-Wheels routes, out in Midland county. When he can, Robert drives four times per week. With one client, a Spanish-speaking man in his 90's, Robert frequently went above and beyond the normal obligations of our volunteers. In an energetic quest to bring some improvement into the client's life, Robert and our caseworkers got him extra blankets, extra food, bed pads and via our Handyman program, repairs to his storm door. One day earlier this year Robert found the client on the floor, covered in vomit and unresponsive. He called 911, then our office. When the client died about a month later, his daughter told us that every aspect of her dad's life during the previous year had been chaotic and uncertain. The man needed nursing home care but could not find an affordable situation. He needed Hospice care, but could not get enrolled. The only bright spot he had was the daily lunch and visits from volunteers, especially Robert and the caring of nutrition caseworker Judy Guzman. This is just another example of the frequently heard Meals-on-Wheels slogan, "To the world you may be just one person, but to one person, you might be the world."

-Bill Adams
Community and Senior Services