Volunteers brighten lives of seniors through decorating

Volunteer groups are decking the halls of senior centers and nursing homes in the second annual "Gift of Christmas" program, organized by the Volunteer Intergenerational Center.

Groups of five to 30 volunteers go to area senior service locations and decorate the facilities for the Christmas season. They hang lights and decorations and put up Christmas trees to brighten the rooms and hallways.

"Just whatever the staff needs done," said Tina Dohogne, executive director of VIC. She said the program initiated last year as a way to lighten the load of the nursing home staffs.

Their first priority should be patient care, she said. This year the Gift of Christmas expanded to include senior centers in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties.

"A lot of them are really really excited about it that the groups are coming," Dohogne said.

Volunteer groups formed mostly from Southeast Missouri State University and area high schools. Emerging Leaders and the Oran High School Future Business Leaders of America are helping this year. Dohogne said anyone in the community is welcome to participate.

"I've got a couple here that just need a couple people," she said.

The Campus Life staff from Southeast helped decorate the Auburn Creek Assisted Living, which won the Holiday of Lights Award Non-Residential last year. The group will return this year to help again.

"The reason we chose that project is it's a good time of year to remember what you are thankful for," said Gretchen Grojean, assistant director for operations in the University Center. She organized the effort last year.

"We enjoyed it. It was good bonding time for our staff," she said.

Dohogne said they have two Greek organizations and a few other campus groups signed up, but need more volunteers.

"I wish more employees or more businesses would get involved in more projects like this," she said. "Christmas should mean more than just giving gifts to me. It should be helping one another."

The Emerging Leaders is decorating at the Fountainbleau Lodge on Sunday, but several locations still need volunteers. The times vary depending on staff and volunteer availability, but most decorating trips are on a weekend or at night. The nursing home or senior center provides all the decorations.

charris@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246