Neighbors Helping Neighbors:
Twice Blessed
Back Online
Tuscany House Volunteer Dolores Fortin proudly displays a replacement keyboard, as Stonecrest Computer Club President Richard Boehm and fellow Tuscany Volunteer Norman Marquis, far right, also a member of the computer club, presented her with all the components needed to help her daughter get back online.
Dolores Fortin believes in miracles. Just before midnight on May 15, she was awakened by her daughter, Susan, who smelled smoke. They searched the house together and found the source: flames leaping from the front porch. Unbeknown to them, their boarder was trapped on the porch. They turned and raced out the back door and minutes later, an explosion erupted as the fire reached oxygen tanks in the living room. Emergency crews on the scene pronounced the man dead and the house a total loss.
The American Red Cross arranged immediate shelter for Dolores and Susan in a hotel, and she received an outpouring of donations and community support, which helped her secure an apartment in Belleview. Dolores’ friends at The Tuscany House, where she volunteers, wanted to go the extra mile.
PFCC Debbie Norton, RN, and Amanda Street, CNA, learned that Dolores’ 44-year-old developmentally disabled daughter had lost her computer in the fire. Volunteer Norman Marquis, who is a member of the Stonecrest Computer Club, also found out that, due to Susan’s condition, the computer was virtually her “lifeline” to the outside world. Norman went to work through his contacts, particularly club president, Richard Boehm. Richard called on The Villages Computer Club, which agreed to donate a refurbished computer.
At a presentation at The Tuscany House, Dolores was all smiles as she told her story: “God has blessed me. The house burned to the ground and I lost a friend. It’s a miracle that Susan and I survived.” Dolores says surviving the fire is the second miracle in her life. The first was being discharged from hospice care, not once but twice. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Dolores has been both a patient and a volunteer with Hospice of Marion County. “The doctors told me I was dying, so I went on to hospice…and got better! I know what it’s like, so if I give patients a smile as a volunteer, that’s my reward.”
Bridging the Language Barrier: Easy as Uno-Dos-Tres
Raquel Cervantes is happy to show customers some of the great values at the Belleview Hospice Thrift Stores, including furniture that is in top-notch condition.
Raquel Cervantes was born in Mexico, but spent most of her adult life in Chicago. Although she has lived in the U.S. for 37 years, she spoke almost no English at her waitress job or at home with her family. After her husband’s death she moved to Ocala to be closer to her sister. That was three years ago, and today, Raquel is creating a new life...and learning a new language.
Encouraged by friends Janet and Howard Smith at the College Road Baptist Church, Raquel decided to start meeting new people by volunteering at the Hospice Thrift Store in Belleview. However, the language difference was a barrier so she signed up for the English as a Second Language class at the church, which happens to be taught by Janet and Howard.
The invitation to volunteer at the thrift store was two-fold, says Janet: “We thought this experience would quickly help her improve her English because of the communication with customers and other volunteers. Her bright energy is a big help and we love having her with us at the store.”
The Smiths were right. Raquel has been volunteering with Hospice of Marion County for almost two years now. She assists the cashier with packing and bagging items for customers. Her native language is particularly helpful when dealing with several of the regular Latino customers. “I enjoy talking to people and helping them,” says Raquel. “Hospice of Marion County has been wonderful to me and I look forward to seeing all my new friends and co-workers.”
In addition to her volunteer work and church activities, Raquel spends time gardening and decorating her home. “I get a great deal of pleasure from flowers and working in my yard.”
The call is open at Hospice of Marion County for energetic people who want to learn and serve others like Raquel, Janet, and Howard. Currently, the Hospice of Marion County volunteer corps numbers 535 dedicated individuals who contributed more than 52,000 hours in 2007.
Thrift Store volunteers assist the managers staff in a variety of ways. Sales associates are provided specialized on-the-job and customer service training. In addition to working in the Thrift Stores, Hospice of Marion County volunteers support care by making in-home visits, nursing home visits, bereavement calls and performing office duties, as well as event support at fundraisers. All volunteers are required to attend a 20-hour Orientation session, which is a great learning experience. Hours are flexible; seasonal volunteers are also welcome. Call the Volunteer Office at 352-873-7441 to learn more or visit the Web site at www.hospiceofmarion.com to find out 21 reasons why volunteering is good for you (the Web site is also fully bi-lingual).
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