Susie Q. right at home
It is Saturday morning, 10 a.m., and the usual hustle and bustle to begin bingo is in full swing.
Susie Q steps up to the Bingo Cage to take her place as caller for the morning. As she scans the room, she spies Frankie and Natalie (her nephew and niece) assisting neighbours with their bingo cards. Seated at the next table are her father and mother.
It has been almost two years since Susie, her mum and dad came to live at the Village at St Clair. Admittedly, life is different for these three family members but the family has adapted to village life.
Through volunteering and just getting actively involved, each of them has found a niche.
Susie Q has found fun and purpose. She delivers the village newspaper and assists in the store. She enjoys volunteering to help whoever and whenever she can.
“I like helping everybody,” she says cheerfully.
“Susie keeps us young,” comments a fellow neighbour.
Dad (aka Richard) has been taking on the role of volunteering as president for the Residents’ Council. Recently, he made quite the splash as he volunteered to play cupid for the Village Valentine’s Day Social.
This was a role he didn’t anticipate, he says with a sheepish grin, but nevertheless it brought smiles to the faces of team members, family members and residents.
Helping others, being kind and supportive, are values that Richard and Barb taught their children well.
Christine, their daughter, is also employed by the Village at St Clair where she works as a food service team member. She in turn hopes to pass down these values to Natalie and Frankie.
Christine encouraged both her children to attend an upcoming volunteer orientation. It would be an opportunity for them not only to earn their 40 community hours but a chance to see where their grandparents and Aunt Susie live and, in turn, they would be helping others.
Through a recent conversation with Christine it’s obvious she loves where she works and she hopes to share this passion with her children.
Initially, Natalie and Frankie viewed volunteering as a school requirement and a chance to visit with family at the same time. What took each of them by surprise was how much they enjoyed coming to help with various village events.
“I never thought about how the work I did as a volunteer would affect others besides my family,” says Natalie. “It is so nice to come and have other neighbours not only remember me but they are genuinely happy to see me!”
As for Frankie, he echoes his sister’s sentiments. “People just seem to have a lot of fun around here!”