On a sunny Saturday in September, a small group of volunteers showed up at
Ashby Village member Joanne Sultar’s Berkeley apartment to help her realize her dream of freshly painted walls. The 6 volunteers spent the day prepping walls, taping baseboards, moving furniture and, most gratifyingly, applying a fresh new coat of paint to Joanne’s bedroom walls, ceilings and hallway.
Joanne, who had carefully chosen a warm, pale peach paint color, said in an email to the office afterwards, “My neighbor, who lent us the ladders, came in and said she loved how it looked…like a ‘warm glow.’ They did a really good job! Please thank everyone again.”
This program is called Hearts N’ Hands. It is designed to provide volunteer assistance to Ashby Village members for multiple tasks at once or, as in Joanne’s case, a single project that can be done by a group of 4-8 helpers in the space of 3-6 hours. A variety of small projects can be tackled: gardening, home maintenance, cleaning, or painting a room. “Hearts N’ Hands is one way for our volunteers to get to know each other by working on a project together,” said Pat Carvalho, AV’s Volunteer Manager.
For Peggy Havey, a volunteer who lives in Albany, the reward of tackling something that can be completed in a day is what drew her to this, her second Hearts N’ Hands project. Kristina Holland of Berkeley, another participant (and also a member), said the camaraderie is key for her. “I just love Ashby Village and I love volunteering. These projects are such a great way to get to know other volunteers and work together as a team.”
The member who’s receiving the volunteer service is asked to provide a small lunch to feed the volunteers. During lunch, those participating take a break to talk about what drew them to Ashby Village and tell a little about their lives. By day’s end, the group – and the member who receives the services – all know each other in a way they wouldn’t have otherwise. The group was privileged to discover one of Joanne’s talents: she’s an accomplished pianist and played some show tunes while they worked, including Send in the Clowns and the theme song from Cabaret. Check out a short video HERE.
Before this project, AV volunteer Sue Ralston approached hardware
stores in Berkeley to ask for donations of needed supplies – rollers, pans, tape, gloves, TSP and spackle – some of which can be re-used for future projects. Berkeley Ace Hardware, along with Orchard Supply Hardware, stepped up with very generous donations, not only with painting supplies, but also with tools to help with gardening projects. Thanks to them!
Gordon Seligson, who had participated in 2 previous Hearts N’ Hands days, enjoyed it and would do it again. "Mainly what I enjoyed was the camaraderie – that, and that we got something done.”
Volunteer Bob Leavitt says it beautifully, "I truly believe that helping others is not only a responsibility of life, it's what gives meaning to my life. Hearts N' Hands is providing that meaning I've been looking for."
Future Hearts N’ Hands projects will be scheduled beginning in 2017. If you’re interested in participating – or if you’re a member in need of an enthusiastic group of volunteers – contact pat.c@ashbyvillage.org for more information.
The HNH crew for the day
(l-r) Bob Leavitt, Pat Carvalho, Peggy Havey, Member Joanne Sultar
Kristina Holland, Gordon Seligson, Sue Ralston
Thank You Volunteers!