Meet Francie, Volunteer

How it started

"I live not far away and have a good friend who works in the Morrow Park Infirmary. I had some free time - this was 11/2 years ago. I told my friend I thought I could volunteer one or two mornings a week. She promptly spoke to Susan, the Volunteer Coordinator, who phoned me and said, "We'd love to have you come." And as soon as I arrived here, I felt so welcome."

Background

"I went to high school at Morrow Park. I still bump into some of the Sisters who taught me there. I did some volunteer work at a nursing home when I was younger. I had the benefit of knowing my grandparents into their later years. My background is nursing. I always loved older people."

Volunteer role

"At first I did two mornings a week. One was visiting Sister Mary Joseph. The other was working with the hairdresser Nell as her assistant. With this last position, I had the opportunity to get to know all the Sisters. Since I have become a grandmother, I have kept only the visiting job. We spend our mornings doing the same routine. We chat, read scripture and go on the back porch if the weather's nice. In the winter, we sometimes visit a few people in the community room. Sister is a wonderful person to know. The two hours I'm here fly by.

It is a unique experience being here. It's more like being in someone's home. The infirmary is sparkling. Everyone is so well cared for. "

What it has given her

"It's been wonderful just being here. There are no special skills or training you need to worry about - just have the desire to be here and affection for the person and that just comes. Sister has a great personality. I want to keep it up, I really do."

To find out more, go to Volunteers at St. Joseph's Morrow Park