Page 12 - Discover Fall 2022
P. 12
Who Cares They Do! CONTINUED
later to the rehab facility, so that she would be his weekly medication. This takes exactly 10
able to visit him. minutes once a week, and his Care Leader has
elected to provide this service for an extended
Becki fondly recalls the story of a lady
period of time, because it is not a huge
parishioner to whom she had become deeply
commitment, but it allows this man to remain
attached. This dear lady had become quite
in his own home.
frail, and needed transportation to a health
care appointment. Becki contacted her Care Becki and JoAnn stress the importance of
Leader, who in turn got in touch with this using discretion to their volunteers. While
lady, only to learn that she had an immediate they don’t object to offering longer term or
and more pressing health care concern. The extended assistance, they still need to be able
Care Leader dropped everything, took her in, to make themselves available to as many folks
stayed with her, and later brought her back as they can, who may also need their help.
home. She has become very attached to this Part of that discretion is respecting the privacy
lovely lady, and is committed to seeing her of their clients, which presents a difficulty:
through her upcoming care. In order to be of service, they need to be
aware of the need to start with. Sometimes,
Perhaps their most rewarding experience
the need is realized through word of mouth.
involved a family whose single mom had
They also routinely scan the prayer lists in the
COVID. They delivered groceries and a meal
church bulletins, in addition to making regular
to these folks, who were very appreciative.
contact with the people in their areas.
In another case, they provided dinner to the
grieving son of a deceased parishioner. He was If you have been touched by these
so lonely that he asked them to sit and eat stories, and would like to volunteer for the
with him, which they did, as he regaled them Ministry of Caring, your help would be most
with stories about his family. The next day, appreciated.
they brought him groceries.
Becki Fuzi can be reached at
You never know who you might meet here (bsheltiemom@gmail.com)
at the lake, and serving in the MOC is one
Cell: (540) 355-2468
way to do it. One of the services that they
provide is respite care, which involves giving JoAnn Ackermann (jofrankack@gmail.
a short-term break to a long term caregiver.
com)
In one case, the patient was a delightful 97
year old World War II veteran Air Force Pilot. Cell: (757) 218-4878
He has memory issues, but on a good day, his
You may also call either church office:
MOC volunteer enjoyed his conversation. On
other days, they would watch old John Wayne Resurrection Catholic Church (540) 297-
movies together. 5530
One of the more unusual cases involves
Trinity Ecumenical Parish (540) 721-4330
another 97 year old gentleman, who is almost
entirely self-sufficient: He drives, shops for Matthew 25:40 “Truly I say to you, as you did
groceries, and cooks his own meals. His only it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did
need is for someone to supervise the set up of it to me”
10 Discover Smith Mountain Lake FALL 2022
