School is back in session, and Swiss Village Retirement Community is a bit quieter. Students who participated in Swiss Village’s second annual Summer Junior Volunteer Program have now returned to school. The volunteer program allowed students ages 10-18 to volunteer at Swiss Village at least once a week for the entire summer. Volunteer opportunities included playing games with residents, providing manicures, visiting residents, assisting with swim lessons, gardening, and much more.
This past summer 26 students, age 10-16, volunteered along with residents and community members at Swiss Village and the Arthur & Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion. Volunteers completed 200 hours through the course of the summer.
Jennifer Lehman, Director of Development and Volunteers, said, “It is great to see this program growing and the excitement that comes from the residents, staff, parents, teachers, and most of all the students volunteering.” Lehman stated that Swiss Village hopes to expand the program in the future to allow more students the opportunity to serve others and give back to their community.
Lehman mentioned, volunteering offers many benefits from teaching responsibility, compassion, time management, interacting with others, learning new skills, exploring areas of interest for future careers, and building resumes. “Volunteering is a great way to spend your time caring for others, your community, and yourself,” said Lehman.
“We had a wonderful group of volunteers again this year,” said Lehman. “My heart was touched by how much fun the students and residents had together. We are so grateful of those who serve at Swiss Village, both our summer students and year round volunteers. Without these wonderful people we would not be the facility that we are.”
“The students will be missed during the school year, but we are already anticipating their return in 2016 and are excited that some have even decided to fit volunteering into their busy schedule through the school year,” said Lehman. If you or your child is interested in volunteering at Swiss Village you can apply online at www.SwissVillage.org/About-Us/Volunteers/. Swiss Village is located at 1350 West Main Street, in Berne.
