Annie’s Mailbox: A repeat column calls for volunteers

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are fortunate enough to be spending the holiday with family and friends. And an extra shout-out to those readers who are spending the day volunteering at shelters and soup kitchens. Bless you for your kind hearts and generosity of spirit.

Dear Readers: This was written many years ago by Judy Vekasy, a registered nurse and director of activities in a nursing home in Savannah, Tenn., and it appeared several times in Ann Landers’ column. It originally appeared in the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

You say you can’t do anything. Can you read? Good. Read to me. My eyes aren’t what they used to be.

Can you write? Good. Write a letter or a card for me. My hands are shaky.

Can you sing? Good. Help me with the words and I’ll sing along.

Can you tell me about your job? I was a nurse once myself.

Can you listen? Wonderful. I’m starved for conversation.

Can you bake a sponge cake or zucchini bread or angel biscuits or make fudge? They aren’t on the nursing home menu, but I remember how good they were and I would like to taste them again.

Do you play checkers or dominoes or rummy? Fine, so do I, but there is never anyone who has the time. They are understaffed around here, you know.

Once we were somebodies, just like you. We were farmers and farmers’ wives and teachers, nurses, beauticians, stockbrokers and electricians, bankers and sheriffs and maybe a few outlaws, too. We’re not all senile – just old and needing more help than our families can give us. This home, whatever its name, is “home” to us and you’re an invited guest. Please come. The welcome mat is always out and not just on Thanksgiving. I hope you will keep this and read it again in January, February, and every other month of the year. We’ll still be here and our needs will be the same.