Villa volunteer luncheon to raise funds for supplies

Intermountain Catholic

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(Top) St. Joseph Villa residents are able attend a Catholic Mass celebrated daily at 11 a.m. at the Villa. IC file photo

SALT LAKE CITY — Saint Joseph Villa volunteers will host the annual "Fall Festival" luncheon Oct. 20, in the Saint Ambrose Catholic Church social center to raise funds for the St. Joseph Villa Foundation for Charity Care to assist seniors in need of glasses, hearing aids, wheel chairs and other medical items.

"We have specified that the funds raised at this luncheon be used for only those seniors at St. Joseph Villa," said Maxine Giovacchini, luncheon co-chair. "Part of the funds raised will also assist the volunteers in providing entertainment for the residents’ activities such as the sing-a-longs, prizes for bingo, birthday parties, supplies for the gift shop, gifts for each resident at Christmas and Mother’s and Father’s day and craft supplies for creative expressions."

The volunteers have been helping the villa for many years, and continue to do so even though the facility was sold last year to a for-profit group – previously, it was under the auspices of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

"We still do the same things we did before the Villa was sold to the current owners," Giovacchini said. "We weren’t sure how long we would be needed, but the new owners seem to be happy and appreciative we are there helping with the residents. Some of the volunteers have assisted the residents for almost 30 years, while others are new to the program, but we are always in need of more volunteers, if anyone is interested in helping us."

"The volunteers are very valuable," said Chelbi Larsen, St. Joseph Villa volunteer coordinator and business office clerk. "The volunteers are what keep us going. They run our gift shop, do a weekly sing-a-long, craft class and bingo session for our residents, visit with the residents, assist the residents to various church services, send grievance cards to the families of residents who have passed away, and do whatever is needed to assist in making the residents lives more comfortable.

"Having the volunteers improves the overall atmosphere here at the Villa," Larsen added. "The residents feel more like they are at home because they have so many people around them to visit with them and help them who love them and truly care for them."

The luncheon will include a bake sale, jewelry sale, entertainment by the Korean Art Performing Group. Prizes include a $250 VISA gift card and a money hat.

The "Fall Festival" luncheon will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, 1975 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City. Tickets are $25. For reservations or tickets contact Maxine Giovacchini, 801-582-2282 or Chelbi Larsen, 801-503-7261.