THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 26, 1994 TAG: 9408240178
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY XIAOHONG ZHANG SWAIN, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Thirteen-year-old Kellie Blankenship brightens the lives of the elderly residents of Sentara Nursing Center by keeping them company, cheering them up when they have the blues and performing helpful services.
In recognition of her efforts, the Great Bridge Middle School South eighth-grader will receive the 1994 Teen Volunteer of the Year Award from officials of the Virginia Health Care Association. The award will be presented at a dinner at the Radisson Hotel in Virginia Beach on Sept. 21.
``I couldn't believe I won the award,'' said the wide-eyed Blankenship. ``I'm going to be nervous.''
Employees of the nursing center nominated Blankenship for the award.
``We had forgotten about it since,'' said Blankenship's mother, Debbie Blankenship, a nurse at the center. ``When Kellie was told she was selected for the award, she was speechless.''
Even before she was 12 years old, the minimum age for volunteers at the center, Blankenship has wanted to work there.
``We all look forward to the day she comes in,'' said Vernice Wilkins, the center's nursing supervisor. ``She's extremely helpful. She puts her heart and soul into whatever she does.''
Blankenship's warm personality has earned her the nicknames ``Sunbeam'' and ``Sunshine'' from the center's elderly residents. When she is not in, it's not unusual for a resident to wonder aloud, ``Where's Kellie?''
``She carries out her duty with patience, enthusiasm and energy,'' said Donna Millis, the center's volunteer coordinator. ``She moves all the time. To cheer the residents up, she holds their hands and dances around. She takes time to do their nails and comb their hair.''
A typical working day for Blankenship includes reading newspapers and mail out loud to residents, holding discussions, organizing games, parties and outings and assisting the staff. During school, Blankenship works on weekends and during breaks. In the summer, she works almost every day.
Blankenship said the volunteer experience has taught her to have more respect for elderly people.
``I told my classmates that they shouldn't call the residents `old people,' '' she said. ``They should call them `the elderly.' ''
Blankenship said it's a great joy to help the center's 120 residents.
``I try to talk to all of them,'' she said. ``I try to develop relationships with them.''
``The most fun part of the job is to succeed in cheering the residents up,'' she said. ``That makes you feel really good.''
But her experience at the nursing center has not been all bliss and joy. Not long ago, for the first time of her life, she had to face the darkness of death. One of the residents that Blankenship was close to passed away. Shaken by sadness, she took some time off from her duties.
``I couldn't go down the hall,'' she recalled. ``Even today, I don't go into her room.''
Eventually, Blankenship overcame her emotion and returned to the nursing center. She came to realize that if she wants to work in the nursing field, she has to learn to cope with death.
Blankenship often shares her volunteer experience with her friends at school.
``They all know I'm a volunteer,'' she said. ``They get very interested and ask me questions. But some don't understand why I do it. I just tell them I enjoy it.''
Blankenship, who has put more than 500 hours of volunteer time at the center, said she doesn't mind that she doesn't get paid.
``Once a year there's a banquet honoring the volunteers,'' she said. ``I receive many thanks from people. That's all I need.''
One day, Blankenship hopes to pursue a career as a surgical nurse or pediatrician. Meanwhile, she plans to continue her volunteer work.
The Virginia Health Care Association, which will present the award, represents more than 90 percent of the long-term care nursing facilities in Virginia. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Kellie Blankenship loves to volunteer at Sentara Nursing Center and
visited almost every day this summer.
by CNB