Help found across the street

San Luis Medical and Rehabilitation Center could not ask for a better neighbor than Nativity of Our Lord Parish, said volunteer coordinator Patty Bealhen Etzel.

Volunteers from Nativity, located across the street from San Luis in Ashwaubenon, have been serving at the center since the 1960s.

"We have so much going on here, and we would be absolutely lost without Nativity Church," said Etzel. "When we have an activity, I never have to worry because I know that I have that Nativity base I can count on."

Setting up for Mass every Wednesday, assisting with crafts on Thursdays, helping with Bingo on Saturdays and distributing Communion on Sundays are among the regular commitments made by Nativity volunteers. They also accompany residents on doctor visits and outings, and assist at special events. Volunteer Delores Mathies even writes a poem each month for the San Luis Press, the center's newsletter.

"If they call me and I can get over there, I will," said Audrey Leisgang, who has served as a volunteer for 35 years. " You see the ups and downs of the residents. You try to help as much as possible. I really enjoy it."

In addition to assisting at Saturday Bingo with her husband, Joe, Leisgang delivers mail to residents on Tuesdays.

"It helps me in getting to know the residents," she said. "I have brought two of my grandchildren along when delivering mail. The residents love to see the kids, and are very excited when they receive mail. There was one man who didn't receive mail very often, so one of our volunteers started sending him mail from a secret pal. She later told him that it was her. You develop some nice relationships."

Ice cream socials, Senior Prom at Ashwaubenon High School, picnics, games, movies and monthly outings to such places as Chuck E. Cheese also keep the Nativity volunteers busy. Dances are especially fun, said Leisgang.

"Sometimes the musicians are surprised when they see how well the people in wheelchairs can dance," she said. "For all the activities, getting residents to come the first time is the toughest part. Usually if you can get them involved, they enjoy it. If they have company when something is going on such as Bingo, we invite the company to come along. We feel the worst about those residents who we can't get to come out of their rooms."

There are approximately 25 regular volunteers from Nativity. They meet with Etzel the first Monday of each month at San Luis.

"If the volunteers have any concerns, we can address them," said Etzel. "We take into account what they say. They know the residents and their needs."

"They have their calendars ready at the meetings," she continued. "They are so dedicated. Some have had relatives who were residents here. Some even worked here in the past. I would not be able to do my job without them."

Fr. Al Lison, who served as pastor at Nativity of Our Lord Parish from 1964-1974, first organized a volunteer relationship with San Luis, which provides Alzheimer's and dementia care, short or long-term care and complete rehabilitation services. Many of the original volunteers still serve today. Nativity has never had a chairperson overseeing the volunteer efforts at the center. One has not been needed.

"They work together to make sure things are covered," said Etzel. "In October we have a bazaar. The ladies from Nativity are invaluable in running this. They gather things for our Grandma's Attic, set up and take down and serve refreshments. Whenever we need things for our raffle, Mary Mullin gets us so many donations. They are such a part of this place."

"San Luis is a part of our family's life," said Leisgang. "I plan to volunteer as long as I can."