“The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to matter – to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.” – Leo Rosten
A group from our Day Community Opportunities Program relishes being productive and making a difference at the Main Street Community Center in Windham NY. For three months they have spent 2-3 hours a day, a few days a week helping to do housekeeping activities and helping to organize activities for the community center.
The unique talents of our individuals shine when they host Family BINGO games. On these afternoons, one person selects the ball with the number and letter, another reads it and a third announces it to the group with conviction. Rachael said, “I like going there and helping do things for people in the community. I enjoy doing bingo and making cards.” Aryiana agreed, saying, “I love the community center, I love helping Deb do stuff. I love it so much that I go when I’m not in the program.”
Once, the group helped assemble a miniature picnic table for squirrels using wood cut-outs and allen wrenches. They then put birdseed on the table to attract birds and squirrels and watched nature’s beauty unfold. Matt said, “I like feeding the birds and chipmunks. I like to watch them eat while I eat.”
Volunteer Coordinator Deborah shared that our group makes a lovely addition to the community center, saying, “They are more than volunteers; they are part of the family.”