Gratifying giving
Story by Mary A. Castillo and Photos by
Jack Stephenson has a theory that volunteer work is completely
self-serving.
“The little that I do just comes right back to me,” he said. “It is
very gratifying to be asked to help.”
As a retired businessman and 28-year resident of Huntington Beach,
Stephenson channels his energies as a volunteer with the Adult Day
Services of Orange County.
Together with his wife, Jan, he is an active member of the event
committee, which helps raise funds for the care of persons with
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
His involvement began after a representative from Adult Day Services
attended a Men’s Club meeting at Sts. Simon and Jude Church. The decision
was simple when the speaker asked for volunteers.
“I was very lucky and successful in business and I’ve seen a lot of
people that weren’t so lucky,” he said. “So I owe it to society to give
back.”
In addition to helping organize the fund-raiser, Stephenson also took
the initiative to walk door-to-door to tell nearby residents about the
center and invite them to attend the event. Initially he thought his
involvement was temporary, but five years later he’s still there.
“One thing led to another,” he joked.
As an active member of the event committee, Stephenson helps out by
planning or picking up items for silent auction. On the day of an event,
he helps set out tables and chairs, or directs traffic. Moreover, he
recently recruited two friends to spend time playing bridge and chess
with the participants.
However, one of his favorite projects was helping Rebecca Ward, the
community liaison of Adult Day Services with her Memory Boosters class.
“I took head and shoulder photos of the participants so they could
pass them around like flash cards and remember each other’s names,” he
said.
Ward, who teaches the class explained that it is designed for
participants in the early stages of dementia who are aware of their
situation and want to help themselves retain their present cognitive
level.
“We really appreciate everything Jack and Jan have done for us,” she
said.
Although volunteers contributed nearly 600 hours of work to Adult Day
Services last month, Stephenson and Ward stress the need for more helping
hands.
“Anyone who feels like they want to contribute can come in and be put
to work,” he said. “There’s plenty of opportunity.”
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