“I Have A Friend” a sweet friendship nourishes the soul

By joyce kinnard

It is my pleasure to highlight Gary and Wallace as one of the many Senior Visitor program's success stories. Both have been involved with the program for about a year. A recent interview with Gary and Wallace disclosed a bond the two men have formed, with sports as the glue that binds them together. It was easy to see their blossoming friendship and mutual respect for one another.

Wallace recalls being led to the program through his insurance company. He says Gary is "a wonderful man, very pleasant to be around". An avid lover of sports, it gives him joy to be paired with someone who also loves sports. Wallace said his life was very lonely after his wife passed, but the Senior Visitors program gives him a chance to get out of the house. When Gary first met Wallace, he was concerned about establishing a rapport. How could he connect and communicate well with him? It didn't take long for Gary to realize that he and Wallace have so much in common. Not only did Wallace seem much younger than his age, they both grew up on farms in rural Virginia. Both have close-knit families and adult children whom they adore. Wallace has lots of interesting stories to tell and Gary enjoys hearing them. Most importantly, Gary and Wallace share a love of all sports. Gary was introduced to the Senior Visitors program when one of the members of his Spotsylvania Lions Club spoke on the subject at a club meeting. He was intrigued by what he heard and felt "called" to work with the program. Gary, a former hospice worker, says he has always enjoyed working with seniors.

A typical visit for the two includes a weekly breakfast visit at Denny's, spending time at home chatting about or watching sports, or attending a Fredericksburg Nats game. Their favorite college level teams are those at the University of Virginia.

I asked Gary "What would you tell someone who is considering volunteering with the Senior Visitors program", and he responded, "it takes very little commitment of time and brings lots of satisfaction seeing your program participant enjoy their day." Gary looks forward to each visit with Wallace. He says an unexpected benefit is that their visits make him feel better when in theory they are designed to make the program participant feel better.

I feel confident that this duo will continue to make many memories together. Their experiences with the Senior Visitors program serve to underscore the reason the program was created - to address the loneliness and isolation of older adults.

If you know a senior who could benefit from having a weekly, friendly visit or if you would like to volunteer to visit a senior, call the Senior Visitors Program at (540) 371-22704 or visit our website at mhafred org Refer a senior or sign up to be a volunteer! The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg

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