Engaging seniors in social activities that benefit local charities
Abstract
Through the Treasure Valley, Idaho RSVP, the seniors at Chateau de Boise have started a mutually beneficial relationship with local nonprofits in their area. The Chateau de Boise Craft Club gives seniors an opportunity to socialize and actively contribute to their community by creating crafts from donated materials that are then given to local nonprofits. This paper, by RSVP volunteer Dora Wecker, won first place in the 1997 Northwest National Service Symposium, hosted by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL).Issue
What was once a small but active group of craft makers at the Chateau de Boise home for seniors dwindled to just two ladies. The rest had become bored and discouraged. After partnering with the local RSVP to create crafts that would be donated to local nonprofits, interest in the craft group grew to 26 members, engaging more seniors in a social activity that benefits their community.Action
The Craft Club meets each Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon to work on crafts. Resident members range in age from 65 to 95 years "young." Some members have become so focused, they continue to work on their projects each day.
The club's mission is threefold: use goods and materials that are collected from local agencies and individuals, provide productive and rewarding activities for Chateau de Boise residents, and donate the finished products to service groups that can distribute them to those in need.
Club projects have included baby and standard size quilts, Christmas ornaments, decorated gift bags, corsages, Christmas party favors, stuffed toys, lap robes, crocheted afghans, baby bibs, cloth-covered clothes hangers, homemade valentines, children's scrapbooks, cloth bunwarmers for bread, baskets, turbans for local chemotherapy patients, greeting cards and envelopes made from wallpaper and discarded Christmas and greeting cards, and Teddy bear clothes for the Salvation Army Christmas party.
As word spreads about the Chateau de Boise Craft Club, donations come from all over and in all forms: money to purchase supplies, sewing machines, fabrics, craft supplies and other donations. The craft club is the ultimate recycling project.
Along with the Salvation Army, local service agencies that have been recipients of the Chateau de Boise's Craft Club are Ronald McDonald House, St. Alphonsus Hospital, Community House, Women and Children's Alliance, Boise Samaritan Village Health Care, Christian Children's Ranch, Warm Spring Children's Counseling Center, S.O.A.R. Idaho, and homebound residents.
Context
The Craft Club of Chateau de Boise began October 24, 1995 with five members and has since grown to 26 members. Members include non-residents of Chateau de Boise and several local teenage girls.Citation
Wecker, Dora. "Chateau de Boise Craft Club" Second Annual NW National Service Symposium. Portland, Oregon: Northwest Regional Education Laboratory, May 1997.Outcome
The craft club gives seniors a new way to reach out to their community; community members have found a group to put to use all their "odds and ends;" and local organizations have received special items for those in need who pass through their doors.
One craft club member said, "The Craft Club gets me out of my apartment, and I enjoy working on a project with them. I am happy to be doing something to help someone else."
The manager at Chateau de Boise said, "People have better attitudes toward life and feel good about themselves when they are contributors. The people who volunteer to do beneficial things for others are happier, more positive and excited about life, and have plans for the day. They tend to think of others and less about their own health and physical problems. ... Many times, the elderly are limited as to what, when, and where they can volunteer. But, when you make it accessible to them, it is very doable for them to be involved."
Posted On
June 6, 2001For More Information
Resources
Read "Chateau De Boise Craft Club" by Dora Wecker.
From The Resource Center library:
Second Annual NW National Service Symposium
Item number: M1681