Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) celebrate National Volunteers Week (April 6-12) early as volunteers and staff gathered at Ebenezer Mennonite Church on March 31.
Over 135 volunteers serving Mennonite Memorial Home, Maple Crest Senior Living Village, Willow Ridge and Hilty Home enjoyed a meal, fellowship and entertainment.
This annual event is an opportunity to say “thank you” to the hundreds of volunteers who provide exceptional service to the elders living at all four MHCO communities. In 2013, over 350 volunteers contributed over 7,000 hours of service.
The event was especially significant this year as it was the first time Hilty Home, Pandora, volunteers joined volunteers from the other communities for the celebration. In 2012, Hilty Home became an affiliate of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio. The event also served to introduce the new executive director of Hilty Home, Jason Cox, who began on March 10.
Several representatives from The Service Group of MHCO also attended and The Service Group was recognized for its 60-plus years of service. What began as The Women’s Service Group in 1953, is the longest continuously-operating volunteer and fundraising organization of MHCO made up of women and men representing eight local congregations including Ebenezer Mennonite, Emmanuel UCC, English Lutheran, First Mennonite, Grace Mennonite, St. John's UCC, St. John Mennonite and St. Mary’s Catholic.
The purpose of The Service Group, as stated in its 1953 meeting minutes, is to “glorify God with motives built upon love and service.”
Even before the construction of Mennonite Memorial Home, The Women’s Service Group helped communicate the vision and purpose of MMH to the sponsoring churches. Members also helped sew draperies, select linens and provide kitchen equipment for the new facility. Members also canned and froze food, and sponsored many bake sales.
Their first bake sale in 1954 raised $993.93. Annually, The Service Group donates approximately $10,000 to support programs and equipment that make the lives of elders brighter. It also assist with ice cream socials, picnics, potlucks and Christmas decorating.
In addition to those previously mentioned, volunteers are involved in many other activities including serving fresh drinking water to elders, visiting with elders, transporting residents to appointments, planting and caring for flowers, leading worship and Bible studies, playing games, and countless other activities that engage elders directly and enhance the lives of residents living at one of the MHCO communities.
When asked who can volunteer at MHCO, Debbie Mohr said, “Anyone with a love for people and a desire to serve is welcome to volunteer at MHCO.” Mohr is the activities director and also coordinates volunteers at the Maple Crest community.
Speaking to the volunteers, Laura Voth, CEO, opened her remarks by reading from a 1949 newsletter.
She read: "72 men came in response to an invitation to offer their services for 'Clean-up Day,' the day the old fox farm was cleared and made ready for the Mennonite Memorial Home."
Continuing: "The women of the four local churches provided a meal 'well-suited for hungry workers' in the basement of First Mennonite, Bluffton. It was noted that the work was not done. Elam Suter of Grace Mennonite asked for “an expression from the men as to what they wished to do about it. They said, “Let’s finish the job.” And 36 men returned another day, with another meal provided by the women of the churches.
Noting a similar history from Hilty Home, Voth stated: "In the 1970’s, Margaret Hilty dreamed that the Missionary Church would – quoted from her will - “construct [in Pandora] a home for the elderly of not less than 30 beds with facilities and quality not less than the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton, Ohio.”
In January 1979, the Hilty Memorial Home opened its doors. It too, was made possible by the church’s vision for quality care for older adults, and of course, the church and community’s willingness to volunteer their time and energy to make it happen.
Voth concluded: “The early volunteers laid the foundation of a life-long culture of service and giving, a culture of continuous community support. A culture of volunteerism for our cause. It is our job now to carry on that culture in Bluffton and Pandora — and you all do it very well.”
PHOTO IDENTIFICATIONS
• Service Group members (l to r) Ruth Hefner, Joyce Reigle, and Leanne Reigle, participate in the Volunteer Banquet.
• Hilty Home Chaplain, Rick Hart, with his wife, Joyce. Rick provides spiritual care, leads worship and plans Bible Studies at Hilty Home.
• Over 135 volunteers attended the annual MHCO Volunteer Banquet at Ebenezer Mennonite Church.
