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FCSLA In the Community: Join Hands Day

Cleveland Project #1

Okres Anna Hurban
Cleveland, Ohio

(Click thumbnails
for larger image.)

Join Hands Day 2006
Join Hands Day 2006
Join Hands Day 2006
Join Hands Day 2006
Join Hands Day 2006
Join Hands Day 2006
  

Saturday, May 3, 2008, marked the 9th "Join Hands Day" project for the Cleveland District. This project was one of the two planned for JHD. The success of this event was due to the caring attitude of the children and adults from the FCSLA, Benedictine High School, Light of Hearts Villa, and St. Michael's Grade School, that volunteered their time and energy.

The event was held at Malachi House. It is solely dependent on private donations and is located on the west side of Cleveland. An explanation of why and when the house came into existence was explained to the volunteers by Alice Sawyers, Volunteer Coordinator, when they first arrived. She was proud to tell the story about Malachi House and the wonderful people who live, assist, volunteer or donate to the house. She was a volunteer there for 12 years before becoming a staff person and now has been there for 18 years. The "House" was "created out of a Christian sense of ministry, serves persons who are terminally ill, without cost or regard to gender, race, religion or national origin. This home ministers to individuals who need an available caregiver, who have limited or no financial resources and are in need of special home care in their final stages of life."

The event was planned by Barbara Sekerak, and chaired by Joyce Lechman. There were 12 adults; Florence Mizikar, Kathleen Hallack, Gloria Terlosky, Anne Sedlock, Joyce Lechman, Pat Phillips, Mike Phillips, Daniel Phillips, Donna Oros, Steve Hudak, Father Gerard Gonda, O.S.B and Sue Ann Seich, Fraternal & Youth Director for the FCSLA. There were 5 teenagers; Nick Mizikar, Chris Hudak, Danny Sevcik, Ryan Andorka, and Chuck Tillie.

The volunteers arrived with boxes of donated items for the pantry shelves. After a tour of the home, a presentation was made by Joyce Lechman, District President. Many of the branches that make up the Cleveland District donated funds for the house to help with expenses. After the tour, lunch was served to all the residents, volunteers, and staff. Father Gerard Gonda, O.S.B. offered a prayer before lunch. Along with the delicious lunch, cookies were served that were made by the Light of Hearts Villa and the FCSLA. Once lunch was finished, the volunteers visited with the residents. It was explained that you cannot go into any resident's room if the door is closed and if it is open you must ask if you may enter. Some of the volunteers visited with the oldest resident "Mama" who is 104; a delightful resident, Susan, 101, who is Slovak; and Mabeline, a retired cosmetologist, all of them enjoyed company, especially volunteers and they welcomed them into their rooms. Many other visits were made, which put smiles on the residents' faces.

All the volunteers for this "Join Hands Day" project left with a warm feeling that they did make a difference in someone's life even if it was only for a short time. Some of the volunteers are going to adopt one of the residents at Christmas or plan on becoming regular volunteers. This was definitely a success when it comes to volunteer projects. What a wonderful day!

Read about Anna Hurban - Cleveland District Project #2.

Learn more about FCSLA in the community.

FCSLA Life

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