Cynthia Offerman makes fall crafts with other Silver Wolves volunteers and residents of Eden Heights / Photo courtesy of the Franciscan Center For Social Concern
BY ELIZABETH EGAN, FEATURES ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
Cynthia Offerman, got involved with Silver Wolves during her freshman year and has maintained connections through her senior year at St. Bonaventure University.
When students were unable to physically be at the nursing home due to COVID-19, the program continued through letter writing. However, Offerman, a senior education major from Rochester, New York, said the program was not the same without the face to face interaction. Luckily, students were able to return last semester and Offerman took a leadership role, becoming a coordinator for the program.
Silver Wolves takes weekly trips to Eden Heights, a local nursing home. This semester, the trips take place on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Volunteers bring activities for the residents, such as games and crafts. Some of the crafts even serve a purpose beyond entertainment. Offerman specifically mentioned bracelet making as being a great activity, since it helps the residents maintain their fine-motor skills.
This time of year, Offerman said a favorite activity for many of the residents is pumpkin painting. Seasonal activities in general are appreciated by the residents as it brings something a little extra special to the program. Offerman has already started thinking about Christmas, with plans already in place for baking cookies and a Christmas movie night.
“My favorite part is just the residents in general,” Offerman said. “They are all so sweet and funny.”
Offerman said the residents can always make her laugh.
“Last week we were playing Pictionary and I guessed something like wishing on a shooting star,” said Offerman. “One of the residents just gave this look she was asking ‘why on earth would you guess that?’ Something about it just made us all burst out laughing.”
It is these little moments that Offerman believes makes the program so special.
For many of the residents that come, Offerman said the weekly student visits provides the main communication the residents get with young people.
“Their facial expressions when we walk in is just my favorite thing,” Offerman said.
While the student visits mean a lot to the Eden Heights residents, Offerman said it is just as beneficial for student volunteers.
“They get to be our second grandparents,” she said.
Not only does it provide a grandparental relationship for the student volunteers,Offerman also says the residents have no shortage of wisdom to pass onto them.
“One of the residents named Bud always tells us that life is short and that we should never let the fear of embarrassment keep us from doing things we want to do,” Offerman said. “He also tells us to be sure to learn from our mistakes.”
Another benefit to the program is how long relationships between students and residents last. Offerman also said that she has maintained relationships with some of the residents since her freshman year.
Finally, a point Offerman wanted to make to any students considering getting involved is that volunteering with the elderly looks fantastic on an application.
“Employers like seeing this kind of thing on your resume,” said Offerman.
For anyone interested in volunteering with Silver Wolves, contact Offerman at offermcr19@bonaventure.edu.
