THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 11, 1994 TAG: 9412090260
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
DATELINE: WAVERLY LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
``G-51. I-17. B-14. B-10. G-52. O-65 . . .
``Bingo!''
The prizes do not dent the budget, but the rewards are great.
Bingo is a special event at the Waverly Health Care Center, thanks to some volunteers - Zuni Presbyterian Training Center residents who have been offering helping hands since June.
One young man smilingly hands out the cards, a few help some of the players keep up with the numbers, some give out the prizes, including a generous supply of training center-grown peanuts.
Bingo is a Monday afternoon ritual at the health center, but the Zuni visitors are involved in more than just the numbers game, showing up Mondays and Thursdays to work with the residents and keep them company.
``This gets people from the outside into our building,'' said Fredia Britt, administrator of the health care center. ``Residents live in the building day after day. The more people we can bring in to be with our residents, the better it is.''
The handicapped young men and women from Zuni tackle such jobs as transporting patients around the facility, filling water pitchers, making beds, working in the flower garden and helping with birthday celebrations.
``It's not so much what they do. The important thing is that they are here doing it,'' Britt said.
``We're fortunate - having a school so close to us,'' said 79-year-old Theresa Fromfelter.
``Having them here is interesting,'' said 85-year-old Annie Jarrett. ``It's something a little different.''
The training center and Waverly Health Care Center residents seem to have formed a mutual admiration society.
``Being here helps me very well,'' said Scotty Blue. ``It's fun working with the people here. I come every Monday and start playing Bingo with the elders.''
Pam Harrell dreamed up the idea, the result of working at both locations.
A licensed practical nurse, she worked at the health center before going to the training center where she has been Residential Activities assistant director since July.
``I saw the need for volunteers (at the health center),'' Harrell said, ``and I saw the need for the residents at Zuni. This teaches them that although they may have a handicap, they can still help others. The students look forward to coming to Waverly.''
The students are alternated so far as visits are concerned. Usually, five or six show up each time, staying for two to three hours Mondays and Thursdays.
``It may turn out that we can keep them for an entire day,'' Britt said.
One or two of the students are regular visitors.
Willie Cuffee, who has been making the trip since September, always introduces himself to anyone in sight, explaining, ``I have to do that because the residents don't.''
The young helpers generally work under the supervision of the health center's staff, ``but,'' Harrell said, ``eventually we hope to wean that out - get to the point where the Zuni students can work at the center without supervision.''
When they are not working with the residents, they are writing to them, an idea that came from Sharon Ledford, activities director at the health center.
``Some of them have pen pals,'' Britt said. ``It's twofold. Both receive mail and it helps students with their writing skills.''
There is yet another plan in the works.
``Next spring, I hope to bring some of the residents to Zuni,'' Harrell said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Julia Coggin, a resident at Waverly Health Care, points out where
the chip goes for Zuni Presbyterian Center resident Willie Cuffee.
by CNB