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Success Stories
A 45 year-old woman who recently moved to the area stopped by the office of the
Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers one day and expressed interest in volunteering. She explained
that she worked in the lab at the Marshfield Clinic and that her work schedule was seven days
on, seven days off - and that she wanted to fill in some of her days off with helping someone
in need. She mentioned to me that she would prefer to provide "hands on" services (housekeeping,
chores, shopping, etc.) rather than companionship or visiting, etc., because she was hearing
impaired (yet she reads lips very well). I was able to match her with an elderly couple that
is currently struggling with chronic medical conditions. The elderly couple was very accepting
of the volunteer's disability and was extremely appreciative of her assistance.
An 91 year-old man from Thorp called me and asked me if he would qualify to have a
volunteer take him shopping for clothes in Chippewa Falls. He explained that he had Macular
Degeneration and is losing his eyesight very rapidly. He added that not only did he need someone
to drive him to Shopko or Fleet Farm to purchase some clothing... but he also needed the volunteer
to "baby-sit him" while shopping. He explained that he is able to see some colors and general
design of the clothing... but that he is not able to read the tags (sizes and prices). I was
able to locate a volunteer from Thorp who said that she was more than willing to help this
gentleman with shopping for clothes.
A staff member of the local Aging Office called me recently and asked if I had a
volunteer that might be willing to take a 79 year-old, visually impaired woman to the local
grocery store on Wednesdays (senior discount day). The woman's son or daughter-in-law usually
takes her but it is difficult for them to do so around their work schedules, caring for their
own family, etc. When I called this elderly woman back to inform her that I did indeed have
a volunteer who was willing her help her with her grocery shopping... she replied, "I can't
believe that there are wonderful people out there who are willing to help me! Thank you for
helping me find them. God bless you!"
An elderly couple needed to travel to the Veteran's Hospital in Tomah for a medical
appointment. Unfortunately, due to frail health he is unable to drive and now she is losing
her eyesight. She informed me that they were trying to find someone who would take them to
his appointment... they were even willing to let someone drive their car. Due to the long-distance
to travel and an early appointment time... it was necessary for them to leave at 6:30 a.m. on a
Monday morning. Both of which (many miles of travel and the early time of day) created two big
hurdles for me in locating a willing volunteer. However, after literally making a dozen calls to
volunteers in the Neillsville area... I had to expand my search to a different community. And sure
enough, a volunteer from Loyal came through for this elderly couple! He was not only willing to
get up early and drive the long distance... but he was also familiar with the VA medical facility.
An Interfaith volunteer recently stopped the home of one of his "Interfaith friends"
(an elderly neighbor who lives alone). The volunteer found the elderly woman sitting in her
favorite chair with no lights on. Upon questioning her, the volunteer soon found out that the
last remaining light bulb had burnt out; she simply was not physically able to climb on a ladder
or chair to replace it. The Interfaith volunteer quickly replaced all of the light bulbs in her
house. When he called me to report this event to me, he said, "This puts a whole new meaning to
brightening up to someone's life!"
An elderly widow recently had surgery and her doctor instructed her to ask for an
Interfaith volunteer to assist her with light housekeeping (mostly vacuuming, etc.) once a week
for the next six weeks until she has fully recovered from her surgery.
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