A SPECIAL GIFT

Last Easter week and Easter Sunday, Betty Brewer’s Angels delivered Easter presents to the residents of long-term care facilities who they have been visiting this year.  There were Easter baskets with lots of candy, door hangings, pretty decorations for their rooms, cards, etc. For some it was the first Easter basket a resident had ever received, for others it was a time for remembering with their special Betty Brewer’s Angel of past Easter celebrations. But the most important Easter gift was the gift of time each volunteer spent with the resident they visit, letting them know that they were remembered.  Like all of us, every resident has a different life story. but what is different from us is that they all are living this stage of their life in a long-term care facility with no one to visit with them or to remember them on special holidays if it were not for Betty Brewer’s Angel volunteers. So what could have been a sad day for them as they watched other residents spending time with their families was turned around into something to anticipate and to enjoy with their own special Betty Brewer Angel.  

When we train volunteers in long-term care facilities, we are given a LIST, not just one name, but an actual list of people’s names who have no one visiting with them. We meet so many special residents and want to befriend them all, but that is impossible as there is only one of each of us. This is the reason I am so grateful for the people who made the decision to become an Angel and befriend one special residentl. As I write this the faces of people I have met who are awaiting there own special Angel flash before my eyes.  If you have one hour a week that you can spare, would you consider being a Betty Brewer Angel? There are many residents in long-term care facilities who are waiting for you this very day.  If you have not read last week’s blog, The Butterfly Effect, please do now and know you make a difference!

Betty Brewer’s Angel volunteers choose a facility that is nearby their home or work and an hour that is convenient for them to visit.  I personally visit with my special resident after church on Sunday afternoons but the schedule is flexible and completely the volunteer’s choice. Do you have an extra hour a week to brighten the day of someone who has no one?  If you are interested in becoming a Betty Brewer’s Angel or just want to know more about us, please contact me at bettybrewersangels@wowway.com or 614-309-4677.