Over the past months, a number of people have asked me why I don’t urge people to volunteer in their own communities in facilities for the aged like assisted care. There are several reasons.
One is that most institutions are not like the Mansion, and I don’t like to recommend anything to anyone that I don’t know and can’t speak for personally. The Mansion is an unusually open place, they have welcomed me and supported me in every way, I know from my own experience that that is not always the case.
Secondly, I have a strong aversion to telling other people what to do.
People don’t need me to tell them they can volunteer locally, it is quite obvious and quite a few people have done it and messaged me about it. It lifts my heart.
I am resistant to social media lecturing and self chest-thumping, but I get letters almost every day from people who are trying to do good in their communities because of our work, and not only in facilities for the aged.
The idea to do good rather than argue about doing good is spreading. I got one such letter today from Elizabeth Garvey, who lives in New Jersey. I believe that love prevails in the end, it is more powerful than anything.
Elizabeth says kindly that Maria and I are both inspirations to her, she reads our blogs every day, and she added a voluntary payment to my blog in her letter.
“Jon,” she wrote, “because of you I now volunteer at a local assisted living facility. I didn’t know how I could help, but things have certainly fallen into place. I read to their book club once a week. We are currently reading a John Grisham novel. And Maria, I have no started a crochet/knitting club. We are in the early stages of a project, but the ladies are excited.”
Elizabeth’s letter is important. I wasn’t sure how I could help either, but I can no longer count the ways in which it is possible. And she didn’t need me to tell her. But I am also keenly aware that everyone is not in a position to volunteer or take time off from work, or have the time to do this kind of therapy work. I am glad the blog is offering them a way to help and a chance to help.
It does feel good.
I believed – and still do – that focusing attention on the Mansion would humanize the issue of aging in America, and also give people in all places and all ages a way to help others.
The focus of the Army of Good has made it possible to change the very nature of life in the Mansion.There is great strength and power in numbers.
Because there are many thousands reading these posts, it is has been possible to help the Mansion buy a new van, take numerous outings, expensive recliner life chairs, air-condition warm rooms and kitchens, and supply books, CD’s, letters, holiday decorations, special food, personal items like soap and body wash to people who need some help with it.
There is a great advantage to focusing a large number of people on one institution. My idea is one good deed at a time, one person at a time, one day at a time. My role is to fill the holes in the residents lives, not to transform them or change reality.
I have been doing therapy work for years, but usually going from one institution to another, in and out. This time, I decided to make a stand, and I think it was the right decision. In giving me permission to move freely about the Mansion, and take photos with permission, they made this work possible. We have all learned to know and love and care for these people together, and that is a powerful thing.
I think the photography was and is key. These aren’t remote figures, they are people we get to know and see.
If you wish to write to Mansion residents, or send them photos and letters, their address is The Mansion, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. I will provide an updated list of residents later in the week. If you wish, please think about sending some Christmas gifts and decorations. Last year, for the first time, everyone had a present under the tree. It had an enormous impact.
That would be a wonderful thing to do again. Gifts and favors and decorations would be most appreciated. Same address as above.