(Courtesy of The Times, February 21, 2008)
By SUE REID
Hamlet Village resident Virginia Fry finds that volunteering her time is "good therapy," she said. "It just makes me feel so good."
An ambassador at the retirement complex in Chagrin Falls, Mrs. Fry reads to the sight impaired and hosts biannual tea parties for the ladies of the community. She is one of many individuals at Hamlet who gives of their time freely and expects nothing in return.
"I dearly love doing this," Mrs. Fry said of giving her time. "I always said that, when I retire, I was going to do something for the blind. That fills a void for me."
She joined volunteers from throughout the community at Hamlet Village's Atrium on February 20th for a gathering with U.S. Representative Steven G. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge, who issued a proclamation honoring their service. Those being honored included Hamlet residents, as well as members of churches and schools throughout the Chagrin Valley.
Sue Mansour, a resident of South Russell and mother of two, said that her volunteering at Hamlet began casually when she started hanging out in the Atrium and helping the activities directors do projects. From there, she began working with a resident in the apartments suffering from macular degeneration, helping her with such tasks as reading her checkbook and her mail.
"I spend two hours with her once a week," Ms. Mansour said. "I love her. She's become a very good friend." At Christmas, they visited Holly Hall together to look at the trees, she said. "I've become someone she could call on if she needs something. We've become such good friends that I don't look at this as an obligation."
Ms. Mansour also has been involved in Meals on Wheels. "I love spending time with older people," she said. "I get along with them so well. I foresee myself getting more and more involved as my children are up and out." Her two children attend Chagrin Falls HIgh School.
"Like any volunteer work, you feel really good when you do something to brighten someone's day," she said. After working at Meals on Wheels, she said, "you go home feeling good about yourself and them. People are so appreciative of what you're doing. Some couldn't stay in their homes without the meals."
Hamlet resident Richard Ziegler, also an ambassador, gives of his time to Meals on Wheels as well. A Hamlet resident for the past 3 1/2 years, he also volunteers at the Middlefield Library, delivering books to Amish schools, and at the Federated Church. He said Meals on Wheels is not only a way to bring service to those who are house bound but also offers them friendship.
"I just enjoy that kind of contact," he said, "bringing a little bit of the outside world to them from time to time. Over the years, you build up quite a relationship. It's our Meals on Wheels family."
As an ambassador at Hamlet, he enjoys conveying his feelings about the community, particularly to outsiders, Mr. Ziegler said. "I enjoy meeting people and talking about Hamlet."
Mrs. Fry's tea parties are a way to share good times with the ladies, she said. "It's very fulfilling," she said of preparing the teas, which take place in the spring and at Christmas. She prepares the program according to theme and does all the decorating, while Hamlet provides the food.
"I do everything else," she said. "I dearly love doing that." The tea even has a waiting list, she said. "It has really met a need and the ladies enjoy it."
Jean Hood, director of marketing at Hamlet, said the volunteers, which include about 40 residents, as well as the outside community, play a vital role. "It's just wonderful. We have a staff that takes care of most of the residents' needs, but they can't do everything. That's where volunteers come in. They help with events, projects and programs," she said.
"This is all the kind of thing that makes residents' lives here more enriched mentally, physically and culturally."
