April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week. In recognition, each post this month will feature “blurbs” from some of the MANY volunteers who help us carry out our mission of caring every day. Each person who lends a hand at Concordia Lutheran Ministries deserves our highest praise, and we are so thankful for what they do.
In last week’s post, we featured some volunteers from Cabot Personal Care and Concordia at Ridgewood Place, one of our Personal Care facilities in Plum Borough. If you have any stories to add, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below!
Concordia at Cabot SNF Volunteer Spotlight
Dana McCoy
Depending on an individual’s mindset, volunteering could be looked at as working for free. Concordia volunteer Dana McCoy has taken that idea and ran with it.
After working as Director of Activities for Concordia at Cabot for 22 years, Dana is now leading a weekly devotional group called Manna Moments. Clearly, she didn’t have to look hard to find the volunteer opportunity she was looking for after retiring.
“I was blessed during my years working at Concordia, and I feel just as blessed now volunteering,” Dana said. “I always feel appreciated and many people thank me.”
With so many years at Concordia, Dana could probably fill a book with her stories. One, in particular, moves her every time she thinks about it.
“The best thing was when a resident who is over 100 years old and I sang ‘God Will Take Care of You’ together. But she changed the last word to ‘God will take care of me.’”
Concordia at the Orchard Volunteer Spotlight
Sharon Einstein from SNIPS Hair Design in Butler
There’s a certain feeling that comes with being pampered – a feeling that can take you from gloomy to sky-high in a few minutes flat. Concordia at the Orchard volunteer Sharon Einstein is what you would call a purveyor of that feeling.
For the last year, Sharon has volunteered her skills in cutting, filing and polishing residents’ nails. Social responsibility and a fondness for seniors brought her to Concordia; the look on the faces of those she works with keeps her coming back.
“I feel everyone should try to do something good for someone else on a regular basis,” Sharon said. “One of the best things about volunteering at Concordia is the satisfaction of helping others. I always feel good when I leave here; the ladies are very appreciative.”
Sharon said her favorite memory of volunteering was when she offered a Christmas manicure day for the residents. Her sister (Susan Nagle) and two daughters (Maggie Craig and Emily) came to help, bringing in paraffin wax and massaging the ladies hands along with giving manicures.
“It was a good day for all and very rewarding,” she said.
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Concordia is always looking for interested community members to help in a number of areas. Our volunteers perform important and rewarding work, and can choose the duties, location and schedule most fitting to them. No prior experience is needed, just an open heart and the desire to change a life.
Volunteers contribute in many ways, including:
Music or dance talents
Helping with parties/special events/outings
Visiting residents and wheelchair walks
Quilting and sewing various items
Pet Therapy visits
Recycling cans and newspaper
Office help
Delivering mail/papers
Light yardwork
Assisting with chapel services
And much more!
Those interested in volunteering should call one of the locations listed below and ask for volunteer opportunities. For more information on Concordia Lutheran Ministries, visit our website or e-mail us here.
Concordia at Cabot
134 Marwood Road
Cabot, PA 16023
Phone: (724) 352-1571
Concordia at Ridgewood Place
1460 Renton Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Phone: (412) 798-1855
Concordia at The Orchard
1312 N. Main Street Extension
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 285-4490
Concordia at Rebecca Residence
3746 Cedar Ridge Road
Allison Park, PA 15101
Phone: (724) 444-0600
Good Samaritan Hospice
3500 Brooktree Road, Ste. 320
Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: (724) 933-8888
Concordia of the South Hills
1300 Bower Hill Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
Phone: (412) 278-1300
Concordia of Cranberry
10 Adams Ridge Boulevard
Mars, PA 16046
Phone: (724) 779-4300
Concordia of Fox Chapel
931 Route 910
Cheswick, PA 15024
Phone: (412) 767-5808
Concordia of Franklin Park
1600 Georgetowne Drive
Sewickley, PA 15143
Phone: (724) 935-1075
Concordia of Wexford
125 Brown Road
Wexford, PA 15090
Phone: (724) 935-1266
