Faith in Action helps homebound seniors

Faith in Action Advisory Board Member Day job: Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking with Bank

of Arkansas

Tells us about your organization: Faith in Action is a community outreach program of the Washington Regional Med- ical Foundation. We are a volunteer-based organization providing homebound seniors with free nonmedical services to help promote their independence, dignity and quality of life.

■ Services provided: Our network of volunteers provides transportation, grocery shopping, friendly

visits, light chore assistance, bill paying/paperwork, reading, food assistance, telephone reassurance, errand running and social activities.

■ Service area: Benton and Washington counties

■ Average number of clients served annually: In 2017, Faith in Action volunteers and staff provided 103 seniors in Washington and Benton counties with a per-client average of 41 services and 36 hours. In addition, clients’ transportation needs were met with an average of 307 miles driven per client.

How is your organization unique? Faith in Action is unique in that it provides all services free of charge to our senior clients.

Why do you volunteer for a nonprofit organization? Do you have a personal connection to the mission? If so, what is it? I believe in the golden rule. There is a level of personal satisfaction but also of community strength that is achieved when people give of their time and resources to help others. Faith in Action exists to serve a segment of our community that may oftentimes go unnoticed. I was blessed to grow up close to both sets of my grandparents, and I was witness to the aging process that we will all go through at some point. My grandparents were fortunate to have families and churches that were by their side as they aged and eventually they had to depend on others for things they had done for themselves most of their lives. The senior citizens of our community have much to teach us and also have a need for us to walk along beside them in their golden years. Faith in Action gives me the opportunity to help them just as I hope there will be people there to help me when I get to that stage of life.

What have you learned on the job that you didn’t expect? I think the greatest surprise to me was how many seniors in Northwest Arkansas struggle with basic needs. Many are faced with decisions every month as to how they are going to spend their fixed incomes. Often the decision comes down to a balance of paying for medication, household goods or even food. Food insecurity is a real issue for many. One of the important services that Faith in Action provides is a pantry where paper products, food and other items can be given to clients.

What challenges face your organization? Volunteer recruitment!

Are there volunteer opportunities in your organization? What are they?

Faith in Action relies on a strong network of volunteers to provide services. Volunteers’ time is very flexible and can be customized to fit their time schedule and commitment. Individual volunteers may be matched with a specific client or serve with a variety of individuals. We also have groups from civic organizations, churches, corporate offices and schools. Groups help seniors with projects around the house like painting, yard work, minor home repairs and more.

What upcoming fundraisers and/or events does your organization have planned? Faith in Action’s annual fundraiser is Savor the Flavor, which is a walking, tasting tour around Dickson Street in Fayetteville on Sept. 4 and around the square in Bentonville on Sept. 20. Bank of Arkansas is our presenting sponsor, and Laura Rush, VP Frozen Foods Walmart, is our honorary chairwoman. For information, tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Washington Regional Medical Foundation at wregional.com/savorthe flavor or call (479) 463-GIVE (4483).

Hudson