Chag Pesach Sameach & Happy Spring from our Sholom family to yours! Did you know that April is Volunteer Appreciation Month? We are extremely fortunate at Sholom to have two incrediby dedicated Volunteer Directors – Carol Kvasnik & Jim McDonald – who enrich the lives of our residents, tenants, and families every day.
If you have not already met Carol & Jim, be sure to stop by and introduce yourself the next time you are “on campus” and chat with them about opportunities to be involved!
Carol Kvasnik, Volunteer Director at the Ackerberg Family Sholom West Campus, writes:
April is Volunteer Appreciation month and a time where at Sholom Home West, we are looking forward to honoring all our volunteers for the lives they have enriched and the hearts they have touched. This event will take place on April 18th. Two of our youth volunteers, Abby Kozberg and Jack Bass have been selected and will be honored by the Caring Youth Committees of St. Louis Park and Minnetonka for exhibiting the attributes of a caring person. Both of these young people are here on the campus each week spending quality time with the residents.
Volunteers have also been leading the five Seders being held on the campus in addition to serving the festive dinners to our residents and their families.
Those groups volunteering to spend time this month with our residents/tenants will be the Minneapolis Talmud Torah students, Bet Shalom Youth, Torah Tots from Torah Academy and Blake Middle School Students.
We also have outings planned to Macy’s Flower Show, Applebee’s Lunch and a tour of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on which volunteers will be accompanying our residents.
Some of the ongoing activities for which volunteers are always needed at Sholom Home West are: Sunday Bingo at 2:00 p.m., Saturday afternoon Oneg Shabbat Hour at 2:00 p.m., Thursday afternoon Social Hour at 2:00 p.m., Friday night Shabbat Service Leaders at 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m
And from Jim McDonald, Volunteer Director at the Shaller Family Sholom East Campus:
I am pleased to share that the volunteer team at the Shaller Family Campus continues to grow. In the fall of 2008 the volunteer base was less than thirty, as of April 2012 our membership is greater than 200 active volunteers ranging in ages ten-years-old to ninety-years-old.
The community support of our campus is phenomenal. Volunteering here at the Shaller Campus, forms friendships and fills hearts. Please consider joining our team this year.
Special programs and events where volunteers are utilized and needed are listed below:
- Wednesday April 18th: 10am, Noon Spring Cleaning Day
- Monday April 23rd: 1:30pm, Planting Party for Ladies’ Tea
- Wednesday April 25th: 9:20am, Casino Outing!!!
- Sunday, May 20th: Mother’s Day Tea
- Wednesday, May 30th: Trip to Como Park
- Nursing Home Week: May 14 – 18:
Monday – Twins Day
Tuesday – Family BBQ
Wednesday – Pizza Party
Thursday – Entertainment
Friday – Gorgeous Grandmas (Makeovers)
As well as a new program being added…. Walking Group!!!! Meeting at 2:30 in the Lobby every Thursday afternoon!!!!
At Sholom, we are incredibly grateful for the volunteers that help our residents and tenants stay active & happy! We’d love for you to join us!
The time you can share as a volunteer will make a difference and not only enrich your life but our residents’ lives as well.
