Helping Hands In Spring Are Keeping Seniors Independent

By Tanjua Damon

The weather was perfect Saturday for spring cleaning projects, and over 100 volunteers took advantage of the day to help senior citizens throughout Newtown with their spring chores.

“Many hands make light work” was the theme of this year’s Independent Living Day. The event is in its second year and is sponsored by Newtown Youth Services. The volunteers participated in the community service event that helped some 25 senior citizens on May 5, from 9 am to 3 pm.

“I thought it was perfect. We had a wonderful response from seniors, kids, adults, and groups,” Carol Smiley, chairman for the event, said. “People came out at the last minute to help. I was amazed at the enthusiasm.”

Independent Living Day brings members of the community together to help out those who can live by themselves and do not have family members close by, but need an extra hand taking care of chores like raking, window cleaning, putting air conditioners in, or planting flowers. It is a day to benefit both young and old.

“I wanted to help give back to my community and the elderly of the community,” Chris Lyddy said. “You get such a feeling of accomplishment. You see the elderly people’s faces when you are finished.”

After having knee surgery, Rosemary Sivertsen is not able to do the lawn care or other spring chores that she used to. So she decided to reach out to her community.

“It’s wonderful. I’m just surprised they had so many,” Ms Sivertsen said. “I think it’s great.”

Katie Bouteiller likes the feeling she gets when helping someone out.

“It feels good to help others who are in need,” she said.

Mary Jane Murphy and her dog, Muffin, were happy to see the volunteers that helped her clean lawn furniture, put in air conditioners, and clean her windows.

“I love it. It’s wonderful,” she said. “Even Muffin welcomed them.”

Muffin even got a special walk from Nick Moser in the time he was at Ms Murphy’s house.

Junior Girl Scout Troop 154 from Newtown Middle School spent time sprucing up Josephine McCashion’s home with wonderful spring flowers.

“It’s a good thing that we can help people who need help with stuff,” Kelsey Cantore said. “So they don’t have to do it by themselves. They have an easier job if we can help them out.”

When some of the volunteers arrived at Newtown Youth Services to pick up their assignments, many admitted they were a bit grumpy, but once they got out there and started helping their moods changed.

“I felt happier,” Liz Gugino said. “This morning we were all grumpy. Now I’m happy.”

Volunteering is something that helps Maria Cinquegrana remember how lucky she is and that it is important to help others.

“I feel that it’s good because it makes the guilt go away that you are doing something for someone else besides yourself,” she said. “You are thinking of someone else.”

Peggy and Roxie Define were happy that volunteers were willing to come and help them out.

“It’s really great. They are doing a very good job,” Mr Define said. “They know more about gardening than I do. They are wonderful young people to come out here. It’s community spirit.”

Due to illness, Charlotte Clark is not able to do all the things she used to. Plus she enjoys having the volunteers come help her for a bit.

“It’s beautiful. It’s wonderful,” Ms Clark said. “It’s the first time for me and I love it. I was very ill and I can’t do this kind of work anymore. We do appreciate it very much.”

Getting dirty did not bother Mark DeFeo or Colin and Pat Armstrong, who were on the ground weeding a flower bed.

“We heard about it and decided to do it together,” Colin said. “We’re both in the Charity Club [at Newtown High School] and thought it was a good idea.”

It’s nice doing something and helping out the community,” Mark said. “It’s better than doing nothing on a Saturday.”

NYS thanked all the volunteers from church youth groups, boy scouts and girl scouts, High School Youth Advisory Board, Middle School Youth Advisory Board/Kids Care Club, and all the adults who gave time on Saturday. The group also thanked area businesses that donated to help feed the volunteers as well as provide flowers for the seniors’ homes.

For more information about next year’s Independent Living Day, call Newtown Youth Services at 270-4335.