Fall 2009 - Presbyterian Homes & Services

“Volunteers are the friendly
faces of our program”
Caitlyn Murray helps
her mother, Maureen,
deliver meals at the
Front Street High Rise.
Across the dining room, Trudy, who lives
at Willowwood, was at the door greeting
her neighbors. She gave an equally warm
welcome to the older adults from the
surrounding area. Trudy has volunteered
for 6 years, arriving almost daily at 9 a.m.
to help create a good dining experience.
“This is our home,” she explained.
“Mealtime is about more than just food.
It’s time to check in and make sure
everyone’s doing okay.”
Trudy and Neil are
two of the five dining
room volunteers
at Willowwood.
Their efforts are
joined by the nearly
200 regular volunteers serving CSD’s
congregate dining sites.
Home Delivered Meals
Long before CSD took over the home
delivered meals program, Maureen Murray,
a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church
in St. Paul, Minnesota, was delivering
meals to residents at the Front Street
High Rise, a HUD apartment building in
St. Paul. Maureen organizes volunteers
from her congregation to deliver every
Monday morning at Front Street. “It’s
a great place for us to work,” she said,
“Service is what church is all about.”
Bethlehem Church volunteers include
working age and retired adults, parents,
and children. Each gives 1 to 2 hours
monthly. Jerry Stewart, CSD Home
Delivery Coordinator, brings 20 or more
large thermal bags filled with a week’s
worth of frozen meals to the site. The
volunteers deliver meals personally to
each client. If needed, they help put
meals into a client’s freezer. They review
the menu and ordering process with the
client for the upcoming month. All the
while, they are inconspicuously making
a non-clinical assessment of the client’s
situation and condition.
“They’re not only delivering meals,”
said Bill Hagstrom, CSD manager.
“They’re checking in on people. If they
notice something wrong, they let us
know so we can arrange follow-up with
the appropriate expertise needed to
respond.” He appreciates that volunteers
provide personal attention and build a
relationship of trust and care. “The people
are just happy to see us,” smiles Maureen.
“Sometimes we may be one of the few
human contacts they get throughout
the day.”
Diane Goodale, Front Street resident,
appreciates Maureen’s visits. Homebound,
due to chronic pain, she feels the support
provided by the home-delivery program.
Diane said that the meals are “like manna
from heaven,” referring to the biblical
story of the Exodus, when God provided
daily portions of food in the wilderness.
“It’s tasty, it’s enough, and there’s always
more just when you need it.” The friendly
care of the volunteers helps as well. “They
come to the door with a smile,” she said,
“and never act like they’re doing me a
favor. I feel totally blessed.”
Maureen often involves her 10-year-old
son, Derek, and 6-year-old daughter,
Caitlyn. “I push the buttons in the elevator
and carry the big notebook,” Caitlyn
explained, referring to the white binder
containing clients’ names, addresses, and
delivery records.
Maureen believes that she’s teaching her
children valuable life-lessons. “They’re
learning how to treat people right,
especially those different than us, and
those who have needs.” Maureen hopes
that they will grow to understand the
spiritual and social value of service and
she enjoys working with them. “This is
important to us as a family. I’m so happy
when I serve with them.”
To learn more about CSD volunteer
opportunities, contact Bill Hagstrom at
651-631-6153, or by email at bhagstrom@
preshomes.org. Donations designated for
CSD may be sent to Presbyterian Homes
Foundation.
12
FALL 2009