Day of Caring brings volunteers in touch with area seniors

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AFB, MONT --  The cold, wet weather more than 120 volunteers awoke to Friday morning didn't dampen their spirits for completing the mission at hand. 

After receiving their "assignments" from Jacque Stingley, organizer of the event from the Great Falls Post Office, crews dressed in layers and armed with heavy-duty garbage bags, headed off to different parts of Great Falls to participate in the Day of Caring. This event is geared entirely at helping the senior citizens of the community get ready for the winter or doing odd jobs for them they can't do for themselves. 

"I was recently disabled in a car accident and I couldn't have gotten these jobs done otherwise," said Patty Jo Sheldon. "I think it is wonderful. The time and service given by the work force is a great thing." 

Ms. Sheldon had a team of two at her home to clean out her gutters and rake the yard.
Seventy seniors registered for help through a sign up program with either the postal carriers, meals on wheels or the senior's center. Most of the folks who asked for help needed yard work done such as raking leaves, mowing the grass, clearing out garden beds and removing debris from gutters. Many also had their windows washed, a few had small paint jobs accomplished and some received minor household repairs. Other work crews didn't have to brave the elements when they volunteered for inside duties like vacuuming, dusting and light housework. 

"This helps me a lot because I live on a limited income," said another Great Falls senior Marjorie Range. "I wish I could do things in my yard, but I just can't anymore. It's great that these folks can come out and help." 

It isn't only the recipients that benefit from this event. Many volunteers go away a changed person, too. 

"The day of caring was a very humbling experience for me," said Beth Waters, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron commander's secretary. "We went to an elderly woman's apartment to help put a safety rail on her bathtub, but what we didn't know until we got there was that she had just moved into the apartment and hadn't been able to get anything unpacked." So the crew took it upon themselves to go above and beyond by assisting the disabled elderly woman with making her house a home. 

"A lot of these people are very proud and will not tell us everything they need help with," said Ms. Stingley. "I try to encourage every volunteer to ask the residents if there's anything else that needs to be done. This is a perfect example of someone being too proud to ask." 

"I expected to go out into the cold today and rake leaves and have very little contact with the person I was helping," Ms. Waters said. "Instead, I met a fantastic lady who struggles every day but remains positive in her thoughts." 

This year, the meals on wheels program tag-teamed with the Day of Caring event by asking for 16 two-person teams to deliver nearly 130 meals Friday. This gave the regular delivery people a day off and provided yet another way for Team Malmstrom to help out. 

"This was really a simple way of helping," said Airman 1st Class Joshua Mercado, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron. "It made me feel good to do so little and have it mean so much." 

Other work projects added this year included policing the grounds around the popular skate park, the welcome sign park at Fox Farm Road and 10th Avenue South, and another park on the west side of the Missouri River. 

"We hold this event every year in conjunction with the Combined Federal Campaign to offer people an alternative way of helping besides giving money," said Ms. Stingley. "We are always grateful for the overwhelming support from other federal workers, especially Malmstrom Air Force Base. We recognize the special place you all have in the community and your commitment to us each year." 

"I would encourage everyone to participate in the Day of Caring," said Ms. Waters. "I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was the most rewarding experience I have ever had volunteering."