It's a new beginning

I retire on January 10, 2013, after being the volunteer coordinator for several years. The pay is horrible, the hours are short, but I have the best job at Champaign County Nursing Home.

It is time to travel; in 2013 my wife and I have 10 weeks of cruising planned. Once cannot work and cruise, too. So, I will end this blog with a fond farewell.

I have enjoyed posting my things here and we have had great success with people who read this and then respond. I won't be here to be able to be contacted, but someone will be sitting at this desk.

I strongly encourage you to call the Volunteer Coordinator at Champaign County Nursing Home and come in to do the right thing by volunteering. Here is the number: 217-693-5016.

Thanks,
Jim Hronek

Greetings for 2013!

You have my best wishes for a good 2013.

You can make your 2013 better by becoming a volunteer at Champaign County Nursing Home. We have some volunteers who have been commited to CCNH for more than 15 years! We don't require a lot of time, only an interest in adding to the quality of life of our residents. One hour a month would be great; and, if you can do more, it will be appreciated.

Here is the link to our volunteer application: http://www.co.champaign.il.us/ccnh/ccnhvolapp.pdf

Do the right thing...volunteer!

Jim

jhronek@co.champaign.il.us

Please help us!!

We need more volunteers!

The volunteers that have been helping are doing a good job. But, we need more of them to become a part of what happens here. I have said it before...we don't require a certain time commitment from our volunteers. You come in as your schedule permits. One hour a month is good. 2 hours a week is wonderful!

High in the list of needs is visiting with the residents. Be a good neighbor; sit and chat for a while, talk about whatever. You might surprised at how good you feel after spending 10 minutes with one of our elders.

It doesn't take much to get started. You complete and information sheet, we conduct an interview and then give a tour of the building. We talk about being with elders in a nursing home. And, then you are set to go! If you want a 'target list' of people to visit, we can provide that for you; or you might want to just go about the building and visit randomly.

We do require an appointment for that first meeting. Call 217-384-3784 ext 5240. OK? OK!

Jim

I have been busy!

Greetings,

I have been busy and have not had the time to post anything new. That's the way it is around here late in the year. Once we get through Thanksgiving, then we have lots going on. Family members have been here to spend time with their loved one.

But that is almost over and we will soon be in the doldrums of January. Please, please, please! Consider coming to the nursing home to visit with some of our community's elders. With all the excitement ending, our residents need to be kept from being depressed.

Send me an email and we'll set up something! OK? OK!

Jim

jhronek@co.champaign.il.us

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

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

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