Villa Volunteer luncheon raises funds for residents' needs

Intermountain Catholic

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Saint Joseph Villa volunteers will hold a luncheon to raise funds for the Villa residents for daily activities as well as holiday events.

SALT LAKE CITY — Saint Joseph Villa volunteers will host a fundraiser luncheon in the Saint Ambrose Parish Social Hall Oct. 15, to raise funds that will benefit the Villa residents.

"The theme for this year’s luncheon is ‘Shine On Harvest Moon,’ and the purpose is to involve the community that supports St. Joseph Villa as well as to thank the volunteers for all they do," said Colleen Day, luncheon chairperson.

The luncheon will feature a bake sale, a jewelry sale and a raffle with a chance to win a $250 shopping spree gift card and a $100 money hat. Camille Savage from Hearts for Hospice will donate her time to sing songs that were popular during the 1940s through 1960s.

The proceeds will help the residents in many ways, said Maxine Giovacchini, St. Joseph Villa volunteer president. "We will use the funds to buy gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, birthday parties, entertainment and various activities like bingo, arts and crafts and the sing-a-long. The funds will also assist in taking the residents on various outings such as to the Festival of Trees and Hogle Zoo."

The volunteers also decorate St. Joseph Villa for the holidays, work in the gift shop and hold several positions and offices. "The volunteers work on various committees," said Giovacchini, also a co-chair for the luncheon. "Under the direction of Fr. Anastasius, a volunteer spiritual support committee was formed in May to maintain the Catholic environment at the Villa."

"We have an activity for the residents every day and any of the residents are welcome to come to the activities we sponsor," said Day.

"The residents are happy when the volunteers spend time with them," said Giovacchini. "The activities are a way to brighten the day for the residents. It is also important to the residents to come into the gift shop because it’s an independent act they can do on their own. People love to shop and the gift shop is there for their needs and wants and they also come in for conversation. The volunteers often donate items to sell in the gift shop and they lend a listening ear if the residents want to talk. We just love the residents and enjoy spending time at the Villa. Some of us have been volunteering there for almost 30 years. We assist the staff in any way we can."

"The volunteers are extremely important to the Villa. It’s hard to put into words how much we appreciate them," said Jeri Wiens, St. Joseph Villa volunteer coordinator. "It would be noticeable without the volunteers. I don’t think people really understand how much they give of their time, talent and even their money to the residents."

Wiens said the residents appreciate the activities such as the sing-a-longs, the crafts and when the hallways and the lobby are decorated for Christmas. "It brings cheer to everyone," said Wiens. "The volunteers do so much behind the scenes, and they know each of the residents and if there is a problem or if someone is where he or she shouldn’t be. I am so grateful they all decided to stay after the sale and the transition from Christus to Ensign. They stayed because they volunteer for the residents."