Community Stories

Volunteer cares through homemade meals and dominoes

February 24, 2023

Volunteer cares through homemade meals and dominoes

Damaris Pena cooks a homemade meal for a senior couple once a week, but her visits are not about the food. 

What’s more important is the time she spends playing dominoes and conversing. We named Damaris the Volunteer of the Month for February because of her thoughtfulness and how she listened for the best way to serve her senior friends. 

“She has gone above and beyond in getting to know them and growing wonderful friendships,” said Heart2Heart Volunteer Coordinator Antonella Salerno. 

Before she retired, Damaris used to work with the daughter of the couple. She heard the daughter explain how her parents needed help and suggested Heart2Heart. Damaris had just started volunteering, and offered to deliver the Food for Hope meals herself.

The daughter of the couple lives close by. She takes her parents to appointments and visits. However, she works full time, and she doesn’t come over as much as she would like. 

“I actually know what that is like, because I did it,” Damaris said.

To honor her mother

Damaris’ mother lived with her for 17 years. Damaris decided to retire last June, partly so that she had more time with her. 

“She died exactly a month before I retired,” Damaris said. “I was retiring so I could take care of her.” 

Damaris learned about Heart2Heart through an event at her church, Hollywood Community Church. 

“I’ve always felt a connection with older people since I was a teenager,” she said. 

Between retirement, the natural connection with seniors and wanting to honor her mom, Damaris knew she had to volunteer. 

“One of the problems that I see with the older people is that they’re very lonely,” Damaris said. “They need attention. Unfortunately, in our society, once the elderly no longer produce, they get neglected sometimes, even by their own family members.”

Food for the soul

When Damaris first started delivering Food for Hope meals to her senior friends, she would also make them a big meal. The pot of soup or pasta dish could be eaten throughout the week. 

However, she discovered that the couple weren’t eating everything before it had to be thrown away. They just didn’t eat very much from day to day. 

Now Damaris makes a delicious meal based on what the couple wants to eat for that day only. Most of the time, she cooks with the ingredients they already have on hand. Occasionally, she picks up extra items from the supermarket. 

She spends two to three hours each week with her friends. Damaris thinks her most important role is providing company and conversation.

“I honestly don’t think they like to eat too much,” she said. “They really enjoy the time you spend with them.”

Damaris worked as a business insurance account manager for a big agency before she retired from corporate America. She didn’t feel like her job made a big difference in people’s lives. 

“That’s how I took it. In my volunteer time, I wanted to do something to make a difference,” she said. “I just wanted to give back a little bit.”

Join the Team!

Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful way to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.

Heart2Heart volunteers must be background checked and trained. Our training can be completed from your home on your computer or device, through the online Volunteer Portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training.

The first step is to create an account on our Volunteer Portal. To get started, click here!

Read more …

Bible Study brings memory care men together in fellowship 

Bible Study brings memory care men together in fellowship 

Volunteer Juan Ramos leads a men’s Bible study at a memory care facility. The group helped the men at the facility connect and open up as a group.

Not all the men are Christians. All the men have trouble remembering. But Juan lets the Holy Spirit guide his words.

Read the story
https://www.heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/Bible-study-memory-care

Join one of our busiest Food for Hope volunteer who delivers meals and hope

Join one of our busiest Food for Hope volunteer who delivers meals and hope

Harvey Brisard is the most active of Heart2Heart’s 20 Food for Hope volunteers, delivering meals to 9 seniors each week… and an opportunity for conversation.

However, there is still a great need for more volunteers to help serve the 500 seniors who receive meals each week.

Find out how you can help
https://www.heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/our-busiest-Food-for-Hope-volunteer

How Elizabeth Chooses to “Age My Way”

How Elizabeth Chooses to “Age My Way”

Elizabeth Narain Kersting knows it’s easy to stay home and be lonely. But that’s not how the 71 year old chooses to live.

For Elizabeth and her mother, Florence Kersting, 90, one way to stay social is Heart2Heart’s Age My Way events.

Here’s why she loves Age My Way…

Read Elizabeth’s perspective

The First Birthday Celebration in Years

The First Birthday Celebration in Years

For nursing student Katrell Johnson, picking up cupcakes and balloons for a resident at Sun Village Homes for her 86th birthday felt like a natural gesture.

For Julia, the ensuing festivities became the first birthday she had celebrated in years.

Read their story
https://www.heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/The-First-Birthday-Celebration-in-Years