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Volunteer Profile

Joan Trent

How much time do you spend volunteering a week?

I spend 1 hour a week volunteering for Desert Ministries. Most every Tuesday from 4-5 is blocked out for my elder friend unless my full time job prohibits. Besides my scheduled weekly visits, I have attended other events like a Mother/Daughter Banquet, Christmas dinner and my husband and 2 children came with me for an ice cream social last summer. We had a fun time!

What has volunteering meant to you?

Visiting Miss Adrienne causes me to think beyond myself and my family. My grandparents passed away many years ago but I think it reconnects me with the memories of them. The time I spend with Miss Adrienne is very relaxing and enjoyable. She has a wonderful sense of humor.

My 8 and 13 year old children frequently come with me. Though they are shy and don't always get real involved in our visits, they are being exposed to a group of people that many don't want anything to do with. They smile and say hi. More than anything, I want them to know that these people just need to be loved like anyone else and that they were once children and young adults with great ambitions and dreams too.

What has it meant to your elder?

Miss Adrienne looks forward to our visits each week. I believe it gives her a sense of purpose to know that someone is caring specifically for her. Occasionally I take her little gifts or baked goods as she is not on a restricted diet. She likes to reciprocate by giving pop or candy to my kids, or maybe a trinket that she won at bingo to me. Our time together also gives her a place to share with someone aside from the nursing home staff or other residents. I can tell she is so proud as she introduces me to her friends or the staff.

Would you recommend doing this to someone else?

I would definitely recommend volunteering in this manner to anyone. All it takes is an ordinary person - you don't have to be skilled, highly intelligent, creative or anything like that to make someone's day a little special. It takes as much time and effort as you want to put into it. Being consistent is key though.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

Volunteering with Desert Ministries has allowed me to make one good friend and many other acquaintances. Many years ago God put on my heart a love for the elderly and I am thrilled to now be acting out on what He has given me.

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