GUARDIAN ANGELS
The Food Bank is operated more like a coffee shop then a food bank. The board felt it was important to provide a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere where people could gather, meet their neighbors and form relationships.

Glenn is attuned not only to the intimate dialogue in his heart, but also to the stark needs hidden in the community. When a regular visitor to the food bank failed to show up one week, Glenn discovered the extent of some peoples isolation. The man had died and his absence had gone unnoticed for several days.

In 2001, Glenn designed a program called "Guardian Angels" in which The Cove sponsors visits to homebound people to help with chores. But the primary aim is to provide a kinship that keeps them from becoming isolated.

Eunice Marchbank is the director of the Guardian Angels. She assesses the need and assigns volunteer Guardians and helpers to the elderly and home bound.

The Guardian Angel program matches elderly or otherwise vulnerable people within the community with a volunteer visitor, the Guardian Angel. Responsibilities of the Guardian Angel vary with the needs and interests of the client. The most important one is to provide companionship, friendship and listening. Others are doing light chores, running errands and maybe a trip to the doctor. Also remembering the person on their birthday and other important holidays. You might bake them some cookies or they may bake you some cookies. Other activities might include, looking at photo albums, reading aloud, and getting books from the library for them. These are just some of the possibilities

The commitment is to volunteer two or more hours per month. Once a week contact is expected, either a phone call or a visit. Also, to attend training and orientation sessions. It doesn't require a lot of time, but it is a serious commitment.

The purpose of this program is to improve the care and support of the elderly and persons with chronic disabilities, and to help them remain in their homes longer.

If you are interested in becoming a Guardian Angel, you will need to have a sincere interest in the elderly and vulnerable. Have patience, flexibility and reliability. Have the ability to respect people from diverse backgrounds, and have the capacity to be a good listener.

What will you get from it? You will receive practical and spiritual support from others involved in the program. And the unique joy that comes from serving others. You will be blessed every bit as much, or more, than the person you are visiting.

If you are interested in being a Guardian Angel, or know someone who needs a Guardian Angel, call The Cove at 509-997-0227 or Eunice Marchbank at 509-996-2569

Credit: Methow Valley News

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