Supplements

archive ISSUE

Volunteers a mainstay at aviston nursing home

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

Everybody wins when volunteers assist residents at Aviston’s Countryside Manor Nursing Home.

Last year volunteers logged more than 8,000 hours of time spent at the home, Bobbie Warren, activities’ director, said.

“Their value is immense” here, she added.
Volunteers provide music, visit residents, quilt, arrange liturgies and call Bingo, Warren added.

Jim Huelsmann plays the accordion for Wednesday morning liturgies at Aviston and other times in Breese, he said.

“I volunteered because they needed me,” he said.
Roman Wilke, who plays the accordion after liturgies said he does it “just for fun.”

Long-time volunteer, Ruth Lager, seems to enliven whatever role she plays at the nursing home. She quizzed Msgr. Jim Buerster about his home town and when he realized he wanted to be a priest.
Lager will be honored for her volunteerism with a Christian Service Award from Catholic Social Services in May.