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Volunteer Profile

Margie Cimino

What has volunteering meant to you?

Obeying God’s call to serve the least of these. Having fun making friends and sharing in the lives of others. Learning a ton from the residents about life, suffering, faith and joy in the little things. Feeling purposeful and needed. Seeing people with severe disability for more than just their disability, seeing who they are

What has it meant to my elder?

Can’t answer for the residents but I like to think they enjoy my company. I have really grown close to some of them and genuinely love them. A couple have expressed that they feel the same towards me. I know they love their Bingo and are always appreciative when I call the game. For many, Bible study is the only organized religious meeting they attend regularly (whew! talk about intimidating) and for others it is the only time they hear God’s Word. So I believe that they are blessed when they come. Even those who don’t understand or are not mentally capable of doing so. God’s Word always “succeeds in the matter for which it was sent.”

I know he looks forward to my visits. Once, after several months he remarked, “I never liked people much, but I sure am glad you kept coming Research shows that loneliness can lead to physical ailments and we often discussed his sleep patterns, aches and pains. I believe my GrandFriend found it comforting to know that I, too, sometimes woke in the night. He found support in our friendship.

Why would you recommend this volunteer work?

I can’t recommend it enough. I know I get much more than I give!

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