Member Agency of
Volunteer Spotlight Kent Thomas says FAREWELL to the Thanksgiving Turkey and greets the Merriment of Christmas, as he is named volunteer of the month for November 2011
Kent has been a volunteer for 6 month and has already captured the hearts of residents with his good-natured, gregarious personality, kind heart and musical talents! MATT BRIGGS, 15 YEARS OLD, PONDERS & REFLECTS, AS HE STARES IN DISBELIEFAT BECOMING VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER 2011 !!! The future is bright and hopeful when we see young people like Matthew Briggs choosing to volunteer with elderly medically fragile members of our community. He is the face of a generation to come; a face of kindness and commitment to something other than himself. Originally, Matthew began volunteering at the Center with 4 members of his family. His dad wanted to teach his children the value of volunteering, but the lesson was learned by Matthew’s dad instead. While the rest of the family has slowly discontinued volunteering, due to schedules and additional commitments, Matthew has not only continued his once a week volunteering, but has increased it to 2 days a week!. As a 15 year old with a warm smile and friendly demeanor, he decided to take Spanish at school, just so he could talk with some of the elderly long –term Spanish speaking resident/patients at the Center. Throughout the week, Matthew brings a smile and warmth to the residents, taking the time to listen to them chronicle the history of their lives, helping them to get around the Center, playing cards with them and just being the grandchild or great-grand-child many residents long to see. Residents often say of Matthew…that " he is such a good boy!" Matthew just says, "It is just a good thing to do." Ralph Lee | 2011 Volunteer of the Year for the High Desert
Ralph receives his Volunteer of the Year Award and the High Desert Resource Network Luncheon September 23, 2011 
Ralph Lee and recipients of the other awards from the community receive a plaque from Supervisor Brad Metzenfelt 
Ralph Lee and AVCCCC Volunteer Coordinator Carol Von Helf at the awards banquet With a tear in his eye and a quiver in his voice, Ralph Lee (76 years old) talks about his love for the residents at the Center, many of whom are younger than he is! Ralph never misses a day to volunteer, doing so 6 days a week, 28 hours a week, for over 5 years ! Ralph is a humble, caring, quiet man, who is a messenger of grace and joy to the residents, who miss him terribly if he misses even a day of volunteering, which rarely happens! In fact, if Ralph forgets to tell the residents that he will not be in because he has a doctor�s appointment, the resident/patients tell members of the staff to call and find out if Ralph is ok, or to find out where he is. Ralph IS family to many residents at the Center, many of whom do not have family or visitors. In his demeanor as a humble servant, Ralph has become a comfort to many residents over the years, willing to do anything to help, and never says no to helping in any way he can. He will wheel residents to a from their rooms to meals or activities, brings them coffee so they can all chat and socialize, fixing what might be broken (what a great handyman!), just hanging out with the guys who need a friend, listening with patience to resident stories, and even picking up trash or giving manicures! Ralph personifies Apple Valley Christian Care, with his compassionate care and love for those who are in need. A SERVANT'S HEART
Beverly Taylor is an ACTIVE 76 year old volunteer who has been with Apple Valley Christian Care Center for the last 2 years, helping residents with a Servant's Heart every Monday morning. Originally, Beverly came to the Center to visit a friend, and found out that there was a need for volunteers. She has a heart for those residents who are alone and enjoys visiting with them, reading to them and comforting them with kindness. Beverly feels that she has been blessed by God in many areas of her life, and by serving others she can share those blessings. When asked about why she continues to serve the residents of the Center she says that, "I enjoy coming here. All of the staff is so nice and helpful and the residents are well taken care of, which is important to me."
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