Volunteer Iowa seeks residents to support Red Oak and Villisca care centers

Volunteers are needed to assist residents and staff at the Good Samaritan Society locations in Red Oak and Villisca.

The opportunities range from scheduled group activities to brief one-on-one visits. A volunteer could spend 10 minutes having coffee with a resident, help with a weekly bingo game or commit several hours to activities and outings.

Red Oak Good Samaritan Society

Tanya Ross, activity supervisor at the Red Oak Good Samaritan Society, said volunteers may visit individually with residents, read to them, play cards, assist during bingo, serve refreshments or help with other activities.

Ross said one-on-one visits are among the facility’s greatest needs. Residents may enjoy having someone read the Bible to them, play a game of cards, listen to their stories or simply spend time talking over a cup of coffee.

The Red Oak facility also takes residents on bus trips to locations such as Viking Lake and Lake of Three Fires, as well as Christmas-season outings to see area light displays. Additional volunteers could help residents get on and off the bus and enjoy the destinations safely.

Villisca Good Samaritan Society

Emma Lee, activity supervisor at the Villisca Good Samaritan Society, said volunteers may participate in happy hour on Mondays, veterans’ coffee gatherings, cooking classes, bingo, card games, music programs and one-on-one visits.

The Villisca facility serves a large number of veterans and is especially interested in volunteers with military experience who can visit with residents and relate to their service stories.

Volunteers may also play music, share a hobby, watch sporting events with residents or spend time over coffee. Lee said even a short visit can brighten a resident’s day and encourage that person to leave their room and participate in activities.

Villisca Block Party

The Villisca Good Samaritan Society and the Villisca Community Committee will host the first Villisca Block Party on August 3 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Lee said volunteers are needed to help operate carnival games, assist with face painting and temporary tattoos and spend time with residents during the live music.

People interested in helping with the block party are encouraged to contact Volunteer Iowa representative Sherri Bowen.

How the registration process works

Prospective volunteers should begin by calling Bowen at 712-521-8132.

Bowen will meet individually with the applicant and complete a brief registration process. Volunteers enrolled through the RSVP program undergo a background screening before being placed with residents.

Bowen will also discuss the volunteer’s interests, hobbies, experience and preferred schedule. After registration is completed, the volunteer will meet with Ross at the Red Oak facility or Lee at the Villisca facility to select an appropriate activity.

Flexible hours

Volunteering does not have to take place during traditional business hours.

Someone who works during the day could visit after supper. An early-morning volunteer could eat breakfast with residents. Weekend volunteers could play cards, watch a game or visit over coffee.

Volunteers record the amount of time they spend at the facility on a provided form. The commitment could be 10 minutes twice a week, several hours each day or occasional service when a special need arises.

Some volunteers prefer a consistent schedule, such as every Tuesday morning. Others may ask to be contacted only when help is needed for an activity that matches their interests.

Who may volunteer

Volunteer Iowa’s AmeriCorps Seniors program is designed primarily for people age 55 and older.

However, Bowen said people younger than 55 should still contact her. Although she may not be able to enroll them directly in the AmeriCorps Seniors program, she can connect them with the Good Samaritan Society or another organization that needs volunteers.

To learn more or begin the registration process, call Sherri Bowen at 712-521-8132.