Reader Essays ......................................................... 3

Reader essay: How good it is to be loved

The “Housepapa” I speak about here is my son-in-law, Larry Dahlberg. I live with him and my daughter, Debby. An added plus for an old lady is being wanted by someone in your family when you reach an age or level of infirmity where you just don’t want to be alone when you die.

I used to envision my body lying dead for days before being discovered by someone. That’s when I was living alone in my own apartment before coming here — where my wishes are respected.

For instance, the other night at 11 p.m., I fell seriously ill and I called up Housepapa on my cellphone.

In a minute, he was by my side. “No doctor, no hospital,” I said. “If you were my mama, you would find yourself in an ambulance,” he said, “but you are Debby’s mama.” I know my body, and an inner voice said, “This incident is over now.” There has been no recurrence of that episode; but if there ever is, I know how to handle it. You don’t have to worry about this old lady. This old lady has taken care of hundreds of serious illnesses. I am almost 95. That will be a milestone for me. I really have an inner knowing that I will be 103 when I pass, and that will be exciting for me. I know that this life is only an infinitesimal part of our total existence. God would not create the human body just to exist for a short while. No. We are eternal. With every fiber of my being, I know this. And I know that what is truly wonderful is the spirit that lives within us. I know that we were created as spirits before this world was formed, and that we wanted a place where we could go have children — human children of our own. This all makes sense to me, and I always search for knowledge, above all else. Yes, I have a couple of degrees, but that isn’t how I know these things. The Holy Ghost is what teaches me. And Housepapa and my daughter help to take care of my aging body. I take care of my spirit, and they take care of my body. In addition, I have a caregiver with a loving heart and knowing hands that are magic. When she rubs your back with lotion, you know you are cherished. Housepapa just fixed me lunch, and it was yummy. I am blessed. — Helen Jonutz, 94, of Lewiston

Area readers 55 or older are invited to share essays of 600 or fewer words. Staff will choose the best for publication. Electronic submissions are preferred at goldentimes@ lmtribune.com. Essays also may be mailed to Golden Times, P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501. Entries must include the writer’s name, age, city of residence and contact information. Questions? Call Julie Breslin at (208) 791-6635.

Volunteer Drivers Needed

No Experience Necessary! Enjoy making a difference. Please help!

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valleymeals@aol.com (208) 799-5767

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INTERLINK, INC. is a nonprofit organization in Clarkston that matches community volunteers to people needing assistance to remain independent in their own homes. For information about becoming a volunteer, call (509) 751-9143. Volunteer applications and addition information also can be found online at www.interlinkvolunteers.org. ï The Lewiston-Clarkston Valley has an urgent need for summertime drivers to transport senior citizen and disabled people to medical and other appointments. Drivers may choose how many hours they’re able to work. Need is for Monday through Saturday. Training is provided, and drivers are compensated 56 cents per mile for each trip provided.

ï Drivers also are needed to do grocery shopping and delivery for homebound people.

The WA-ID VOLUNTEER CENTER, in the Lewiston Community Center at 1424 Main St., strives to provide individualized volunteer opportunities for those wishing to serve in Lewiston, Clarkston, Asotin, Pomeroy, Moscow and the Orofino area. Information and other volunteer openings can be found at waidvolunteercenter.org or by calling (208) 746-7787.

Volunteer needs include: ï Museum docents — Skills include meet-andgreet abilities, friendly personality and the ability to answer questions about the displays at the center. Training is provided.

ï Tutors — America Reads needs tutors to help K-third-grade students become proficient readers. Volunteers need to be able to commit to at least an hour a week for the school year. Background check required. ï Companions — The Senior Companion program provides companionship and respite care to the elderly and disabled. It allows low-income senior volunteers an opportunity to assist those who need minor help to continue living independently. Senior Companions visit clients in their homes, but it is not an in-home care program. ï Food bank help — Volunteers are needed to repack frozen and dry foods for distribution. Front counter volunteers and drivers for morning food pickups also are needed. ï Meal sites — Volunteers are needed regular and substitute meal delivery drivers. A valid driver’s license and auto insurance are required.

ï Opioid Information

Instructors — Volunteers lead online classes through a Power Pointbased curriculum and facilitate discussion based on audience questions regarding opioids, their use and their disposal. Training is provided ï Project Warmup — Crafters are needed to make hats, scarves, mittens and lap blankets (yarn is provided) and to help tie quilts. Completed items are donated to local nonprofit agencies. ï Medicare navigation —

Clarkston Affordable Home Repair Program

This new program helps qualified low-income homeowners in Clarkston, WA needing assistance with home repairs. By offering home improvements, the program helps preserve safe, decent, and affordable housing in our community.

TO APPLY visit www.l-cvalleyhabitat.org/cahr or call 509-758-7396

In partnership with:

597815H_21

The State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program trains volunteers to assist local seniors with Medicare questions.

ï Lewiston City Library

— Volunteers needs include book shelving, gardening, homebound delivery, photography, technology tutoring, genealogy, tech lab, youth services and helping students with homework.

ï Mobile Blood Drive

Canteen — Volunteers serve refreshments to donors immediately following donations, help maintain a comfortable atmosphere, talk with donors and answer questions while observing the donors for possible adverse reactions. ï Disaster services — As the first responders of the American Red Cross, the Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers provide comfort and direct assistance to those affected by disaster as they begin the recovery process.

VALLEY MEALS ON WHEELS provides daily home-delivered meals to seniors, home-bound and special needs clients in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.

If you or someone you know would benefit from in-home meal service, contact the office between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at (208) 799-5767 or by email at valleymeals@aol.com.

Golden Times publishes Volunteer Opportunities in the LewistonClarkston Valley monthly as a free public service. Area agencies may send information to goldentimes@ lmtribune.com or Golden Times, P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501. All submissions are edited for brevity and clarity, and will run as space allows. Questions may be directed to editor Julie Breslin at jbreslin@lmtribune.com or (208) 791-6635. Deadline for the September edition is 5 p.m. Aug. 15.