There are many things to do at the State Fair, whether it’s the exhibits, the rides, or food served on a stick! This year, between riding the giant slide and viewing the sculptures made of butter, many fairgoers decided to give of their time to benefit residents of Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS) in the
Kare 11 KARE barn.
I spy jars
Samantha Sleeman, Volunteer Director at
Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington organized a “speed volunteering” event with the help of
HandsOn Twin Cities, a nonprofit that matches volunteers with organizations to benefit the community. The volunteers created “I spy” jars, an activity meant for residents living with dementia.
The assembly line began with an empty jar that would be filled with small toys which were then covered in rice and sealed shut. The end users will have a checklist of what to find in the jars as
they rotate them to uncover the hidden items. Many volunteers commented that it was a good break from the commotion of the fair and a fulfilling way to give back and impact lives.
Sleeman says she chose this volunteer activity to bring about awareness of dementia and the benefits of mental exercises for those experiencing its symptoms. “Providing those with dementia an activity to stimulate their senses is beneficial in many ways. Beyond brain stimulation and muscle memory, it is a calming and comforting activity,” said Sleeman.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are grateful to the volunteers who enable us to extend our ministry of service to older adults. If you are interested in exploring current volunteer opportunities with PHS, visit our
volunteer page.