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.”