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B-I-N-G-O Spells... Hope

Is it possible to make a huge impact through a tiny gesture, such as remembering a name, or offering a smile?

Can you make a difference in multiple lives by setting aside just a couple hours a week, or even a few per month?

Does assisting with a simple game of Bingo bring glory to the Lord?

Several Oak Ridge Baptist Church members would answer yes to all of these questions.

Currently, as part of the PEACE plan, ORBCers are partnering with two area nursing homes to bring hope and smiles to residents in John B. Parsons Assisted Living Community and Genesis Salisbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  Karen Sallac, who volunteers alongside her sister, Deb Finn, and a third ORBCer, Donna Kaylor, discussed the ways that she, Deb, and Donna are involved at Parsons:

“I enjoy being with the folks there, and I hope that we have brought some joy to them in the past eighteen months,” she notes, explaining she, Deb, and Donna serve residents in several different ways.  The three women personally deliver cards to the approximately 45 residents several times a year, including holidays and birthdays.  They also strive to write and deliver at least two thinking-of-you cards twice a year, just because.  Last year, as part of ORBC's giant community service initiative, PEACE One Day, over sixty church members created many of the handmade cards that Karen, Deb, and Donna delivered.  

"It was a great help that we could do so many in just a few hours," Karen said.

In addition to writing and delivering cards, the Parsons volunteers also hold an evening Bingo game for residents on the second and fourth Thursday of every month, from 6-7 p.m.  Because the staff does not typically offer recreational events for residents in the evening, some of the men and women at Parsons consider Thursday Night Bingo a highlight of their weeks.  Karen observes that the events sometimes attract up to 15 residents at a time, and she believes that this ministry could definitely use more volunteers.  “We would love to have others join us, especially for Bingo… we could probably expand our ministry there if we had additional people willing to help.”

Dwayne Morgan, who volunteers at Genesis, has a similar message: “Come with a willing spirit to serve.  Nursing home residents lack some of the most fundamental human needs for interactive contact outside of their environment.”

Dwayne believes that visitors who bring a “simple spirit of encouragement, hope, and love” are able to change lives in powerful ways.  Reflecting on his experiences at Genesis, where he volunteers 1-4 hours a week helping Recreation and Activities Staff offer games and events for residents, Dwayne adds, “a simple encouraging word of hope can really lift [the residents’] spirits.  The simple things such as a smile, remembering their name, or helping them get to the dining room can really make them smile despite all their physical and mental pain.  The gospel message of hope is truly life changing!”
Karen agrees, sharing that “Mr. Paul,” a resident at Parsons, is an ORBC member who was baptized only two weeks ago.  “He just celebrated his 79th birthday.”

The ministries at Parsons and Genesis are doing amazing works through small acts of kindness, and you can be a part of it.  To help with Bingo at Parsons or other projects, contact Karen by calling or texting her at 410-430-5121.  To find out how you can get involved at Genesis, email Dwayne at dmorgan232@yahoo.com. 

If you’d like to be involved but you aren’t sure serving on location is for you, Karen and her team also collect donations (mostly toiletries) to use to assemble welcome baskets for new residents.  Reach out to her for more information regarding donations of this sort, or about creating cards.  A second PEACE One Day is also planned for this spring (details forthcoming), and writing cards for nursing home residents will once again be a service project option for anyone who is interested in participating in this way.
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