Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Christmas Caroling

We are almost at the season for Christmas Carolers at Champaign County Nursing Home. We welcome both small and large groups. We do have a calendar set up so that we don't have too many on any given day. You will need to contact me so that we can make sure that what you want to do will work with our schedule.

Our residents enjoy these kinds of things, as the December weather generally gets gloomy and the singing brightens spirits.

As long as I am mentioning singing, if you would like to share your talent, let me know. We would really like to have you on our calendar of events. A one-time performance is great and a regular monthly gig is better.

Let me know about this. OK? OK!

Jim
jhronek@co.champaign.il.us

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Pet Visits at Champaign County Nursing Home

We love pets!


Pets are wonderful volunteers (their owners are too!) and we have several pets that come here on a regular basis. We will always welcome more.

You will need to provide evidence from a Vet that indicates all shots are up-to-date. You will need to meet with me as we talk about pets and elders in a nursing home. We'll walk around the building, exploring new sounds and smells. All pets must be on a leash.

As with most volunteers, we don't set your hours. You come in as your schedule permits.

Ask me questions! OK? OK!

Jim
jhronek@co.champaign.il.us

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Bible Study at the nursing home

For a long time, we have had Bible study on Wednesday morning at the nursing home. The woman who had been volunteering her time got a job that conflicted with her time here. So, we are seeking a person who would come here on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday for a 30 - 40 minute Bible Study session.

You control what to do. We won't tell you all the whats and hows and stuff. We will have several residents in our chapel and you will be able to do the Bible Study in whatever way is appropriate. In the past, there was a person come in and a couple of hymns were sung, too. That is an option to consider.

Let me know about this opportunity. We would like to re-start this activity. OK? OK!

Jim
jhronek@co.champaign.il.us

Friday, November 9, 2012

George Washington

I recently discovered "George Washington's Rules of Civility" on the internet. There are 110 maxims that helped shape and guide America's first President. I have read them all and I am including some of them, without comment, here. (Some grammar items have been modernized.)


When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body not usually discovered.

Shift not yourself in the sight of others, nor gnaw your nails.

In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title according to his degree and the custom of the place.

In your apparel be modest and endeavor to accommodate nature, rather than to procure admiration; keep to the fashion of your equals, such as civil and orderly with respect to time and places.

Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.

Think before you speak, pronouce not imperfectly, nor bring out yours words to hastily, but orderly and distinctly.

Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.

Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after drinking wipe your lips. Breathe not then or ever with too great a noise, for it is uncivil.

Rinse not your mouth in the presence of others.

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

Jim

Thursday, November 8, 2012

January Opportunities

When the University of Illinois students are gone, we need help with some activities where the students generally assist. Among the things are Bingo on Saturday afternoons and Game Night on Monday.

We need helpers with Bingo on the following Saturdays: 12/22, 1/5, 1/12 and 1/19. The games start at 2:15, however set up starts before that. Ideal time for arrival is about 2:00. After the games, we will need help with transporting the residents and clean up of the area. That is generally done by 3:15. One hour and 15 minutes is all that we are asking. This would be appropriate for one to four people to help those residents who might have vision or hearing deficits; or there might help needed with motor skills.

Monday evening game night begins at 6:45. Again, help is need before and after for set up and clean up. The times needed would be about 6:30 until 7:45 (at the latest). One or two people (no more than that) would be wonderful.

If you want to help, let me know. OK? OK!

Jim
jhronek@co.champaign.il.us

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Giveaways!!!

We need some help giving away things.


We have too many clothing items. Some of our residents gain or lose weight and their family members donate clothes to us. We have some clothing items that don't have resident's name on them and are thus 'lost' for long periods of time. We need to give away these things.

We have more books than the residents will read. Friendly neighbors donate them to us and we have too many. We need to clear off the shelves. We need to give away these things.

Are you aware of an appropriate place to give these items? Let me know!

We are NOT SOLICITING books or clothes or TVs or furniture or medical equipment.

Jim
jhronek@co.champaign.il.us