Touchmark Retirement Communities
Appleton Wisconsin Volunteering with Touchmark
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- Volunteering in Appleton
“It is abundantly clear from a number of studies that people who live generous lives also live happier lives.”
—Stephen G. Post, PhD, co-author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People
Share your time and talents
Research continues on the positive impact of “giving back” in regard to the physical and emotional well-being of the volunteer. In the past decade, there have been several in-depth studies on the benefits of volunteering for individuals of all ages—youth to older adults.
In Touchmark communities, residents are encouraged to participate in a wide range of civic engagement opportunities, and they devote countless hours to community service for deserving programs and organizations.
Volunteers in action slide show
Volunteer Chris Hammerstad calls bingo. Chris, who is the volunteer coordinator for the Appleton Area Newcomer’s Club, faithfully organizes members of her group to serve at Touchmark. “I enjoy volunteering, because it is rewarding, helps others, and is fulfilling,” says Chris. “It’ fun to share their excitement, stories, and joy.” The Newcomer’s Club members help with special events, decorating, birthday parties, shopping, special services, and bingo.
Resident Jerri Pitelka visits her pen pals at Butte des Morts Elementary School.
Brownie Troop 413 visited Touchmark and helped create crafty fl oral arrangements. More than 20 residents joined the 6- and 7-year-old girls and their parents around tables to make bright bouquets from tissue paper and pipe cleaners. Resident Maxine Bathe and Brownie Katy Giminez show off their new bouquet.
Residents visited the infants and children at Apple Tree Daycare Connections. They put together puzzles, worked on arts and crafts, read, and ate lunch and cupcakes together. The group plans to visit every month. Pictured: Wynne Vanden Heuvel (in blue) works on puzzles with the children.
Sophomores from Xavier High School recently volunteered at Touchmark and helped prepare gardens for winter, aid staff in the kitchen, clean the outside of homes, read with residents, and assist in the craft room.
Students from Appleton West High School’s Peer Helper volunteer club helped with the coat check, served ice cream, and supervised the cookie decorating in the Kid’s Corner. The event also included a food drive to benefit the St. Joseph Food Program.
Heartland Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Leslie Schiller (left) and resident Pat Lamont gather nine beautifully handcrafted shawls. The Touchmark Knitting and Crocheting Club, which meets twice a month to create comfort shawls for area hospice patients, recently donated the items. The warm feeling generated at the meeting reminded members of the value of their work and the importance of helping those in need.
Fifty residents, Touchmark team members, and students from Appleton West High School’s Peer
Helper program danced the night away at Touchmark’s Spring Formal Dance, themed Moon River. The students also helped with logistics of the evening. The Fox Cities Swing Band—a Touchmark favorite—filled the air with classic swing tunes while everyone danced and enjoyed strawberry shortcake, chocolate-covered strawberries, and chocolate torte. The event included the crowning of a queen and king, with residents Jean and Jim Ormson receiving the honor.
In addition to volunteering in the surrounding community, residents provide support to programs and services on the campus, sharing years of life experience, talents, and skills. This unselfish commitment contributes to the relationships and outcomes that enhance the quality of life for both the giver and recipients.
Touchmark also invites volunteers from the broader community to support activities and services. A menu of possible volunteer opportunities is posted here, and interested people are encouraged to contact us to pursue the possibilities.
The process of volunteering is very much like applying for a job at Touchmark. Volunteer candidates fill out an application and proceed through the process of reference and background checks, orientation, and training. We place a high value on volunteers and want to find the right fit for each one.
To find out more about the volunteer opportunities within Touchmark, call the community’s main number or click here to contact us and convey your interest.
Pssst! Inquire about volunteering here!
Volunteers welcome!
Touchmark communities in the US and Canada actively recruit individuals who want to make a difference in their own and others’ lives by committing time, talent, and energy to the Life Enrichment/Wellness program offerings. Volunteer opportunities include:
- Piano players
- Musicians
- Gardeners
- Pet pals
- Crafters
- Storytellers
- Walking/hiking buddies
- Bible study leaders
- Exercise buddies
- Cooking connoisseurs
- Hosts and Hostesses
- Artists
- Discussion group leaders
- Board and card game enthusiasts
- Needle crafters-quilters; knitting; crocheting; needlepoint; weavers
- Excursion buddies
For details on available opportunities, talk with the Life Enrichment/Wellness director or complete the application.
Resources about volunteering
These articles and links provide more information about the benefits of volunteerism:
“Growing Older in America: The Health & Retirement Study”
www.nia.nih.gov/ResearchInformation/ExtramuralPrograms/BehavioralAndSocialResearch/HRS.htm
“The 2007 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating” [Note: This is a 94-page document.]
www.givingandvolunteering.ca/files/giving/en/csgvp_highlights_2007.pdf
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