Senior Birthday Club

Location: Judge Fisher Apartments

Date: Tuesday, January 06, 2015; 6:30-8:00 pm

It was messy out there

It had been a long time since my only visit to this project; in fact it was its opening night.  I arrived on a chilly evening and walked through the snow and muck to get to the building.  On the way I passed Jason, who is the Volunteer leader of this project and one of the nicest guys to lead a project.  As we went inside, it was apparent that he was popular with the residents and some asked him to show them photographs of his trip over Christmas. As I helped him get the prizes out of the box and on the table, he mentioned that a big group was coming this evening.  And when they did come, it was indeed a really big group.

These guys were visiting from ‘Baylor University’ and were on a one week mission trip to Chicago.  They were assigned decoration duties, though the resident who had asked Jason for the pictures was in charge of blowing the balloons.  The students did a good job of putting up the streamers, banners and balloons and then dispersed to mingle with the residents.  Some even made the goody bags with candies that the residents usually take home at the end of the evening.  I arranged the prizes on the table and Jason had gotten everything, ranging from soaps, books and pens, to a heart shaped pin-cushion.  There was also a snowglobe with Chicago skyline in it!

The bounty for the evening

Jason got the Bingo set out and like the previous time I had come here, there was no Bingo board, meaning someone would have to write down the numbers that were being called.  Beside the visiting college kids, we had a couple of volunteers from South America who were on a English learning trip.  Another volunteer arrived, but she just spent the entire time on the side sulking.  We really had an eclectic group this evening.  As a first task, myself and the girls from South America went about distributing cookies to the residents.  Jason then asked who amongst the residents had a birthday in January and there were none.  But Jason had a birthday this month, as did a couple of volunteers.  So we sang “Happy Birthday” to all and then it was time to play Bingo.

The ‘Baylor’ group was calling the game and I went and sat next to a group of residents, trying to encourage them as usual.  The first prize off the board was the snowglobe.  People started winning and while Jason had set a limit of 3 prizes per board, after 2 wins on a board, 3 people won on the same number.  This upset the lady who had won previously and she said that we were not verifying the results properly.  Then, as another resident left and picked up a goody bag on the way out, the lady complained that the resident had also taken a prize with her, though it wasn’t accurate.  I guess there’s always one in every Bingo game. 

I said to Jason that I would stand next to the table to “police” and that gave me an opportunity to chat with the leader of the ‘Baylor’ team.  She said that this was a “business trip” for them and so there wasn’t much “sightseeing” built in the itinerary.  She said that the kids were really committed to their cause and do a lot of community work back home, which was great.  I mentioned to the lady from South America that this was a great way to learn a new language since it allows you to engage new people.  It was their 2^nd month here and she said that they were still learning.  I said that their English would always be far superior to my Portuguese or Spanish. 

The heart

I was eyeing the heart shaped pin-cushion and I seemed to be the only one since no one was taking it.  I said that it appeared that it would be the last thing taken, but not before we had all taken pictures with it.  It is often wondered why the heart is often depicted the way it is, because the reality is that a human heart is not shaped like that…not unless you put two hearts together and that’s when it gets its shape.  Amazing how some things work out.  It was an enjoyable time for us and we were having a good time…everyone but the sulking girl who was still sulking.

After the game was over the students asked if they could sing for us and I am never going to be the one to say no to that!  Jason announced that the residents could leave if they wanted to, but no one did.  One guy sang the ‘Temptations’ and then a girl came up.  She asked for requests and one resident said, “My Girl”, though she did not know the lyrics.  The two of them then sang together and before we could wrap up, one of the residents got up and sang a romantic song which was fantastic.  In fact, even the sulking girl smiled and clapped.  We had finally won her over!  The residents started leaving and we handed them the goody bags.  The rest of us then took down the decorations and packed everything.  The students had given the residents a great evening and it had been a success for me as well. 

Before we left, a lady came and gave Jason some prizes for him to use next time.  He really is a wonderful chap and that’s why everyone over here likes him.  As we took the train back, he told me about his girlfriend in Philippines and the long distance relationship he was in.  In fact it was his trip to Philippines that the residents wanted to hear about and see the pictures.  The way he talked about her and the look on his face is something that you cannot fake.  He then asked if there was someone special in my life; a question which I don't know how to answer.  He then said that hopefully I can find someone to keep me warm this winter.  And I knew what he meant since his warmth comes from the knowledge that he has someone who cares, even if that person is thousands of miles away.  “I guess its projects like these”, I replied.  And it may just be true.