Verde Valley Caregivers staff and volunteers are going the extra mile to accommodate neighbors sheltering in place
Very often VVCC neighbors are food insecure. Prior to the pandemic, neighbors were transported to local food banks. Now VVCC Van Driver, Pam Price, picks up food boxes and delivers them twice a week to neighbors. This service is a godsend to those without the resources to shop for themselves. One neighbor, Alta, phoned VVCC's Call Center after a delivery to say, “I couldn’t believe it. Pam delivered the King’s table to me” and added, “I just want to thank you so much for all that you do for me. You are all so wonderful!”
During this time, isolation has been especially hard for some of our neighbors, many of whom, no longer have family nearby. Joan, a VVCC neighbor who lives in an assisted living facility, nearly died of COVID-19. In isolation with nobody allowed to see her other than the medical staff and no relatives or close friends to support her, VVCC Call Center Specialist Lynn Edwards, thought Joan could benefit from hearing a friendly voice on the phone. Lynn called her at the hospital every couple of days. Sometimes Joan was not able to speak, but only listened. When she was able to speak, she was very welcoming to Lynn and appreciative. Lynn also kept concerned VVCC volunteers who knew Joan updated on her status. Joan is now out of the hospital and volunteers are shopping for her. She continues to say how much she appreciated the phone calls.
VVCC gives a special heartfelt thanks to volunteers who have been helping neighbors during this crisis. "We couldn't do this important work without you," said VVCC Executive Director Kent Ellsworth. "Because of you we are keeping neighbors who are living independently safe."
