Area elders need volunteer help

By Polly Keary, Editor

Several elderly and disabled people in the Sultan area need a little extra help around their homes, and Catholic Community Services is reaching out the community for volunteers.

“What they are needing is assistance with light household work, dishes, laundry, the basic stuff,” said Cherisse Webb, Volunteer Services Recruiter with Catholic Community Services. “A common thing they need help with is turning the mattress, making the bed, and a few need help with yard work.”

There are five homes in which people need assistance.

An elderly woman needs help with yard work, including weeding and mowing, and she sometimes has trouble with down spouts.

A disabled man needs general help with housework that he is unable to do.

And elderly lady living in a mobile home park needs help with light household work and upkeep of her small yard.

A disabled man needs help caring for a very large yard, as well as a hand with some light household work.

A disabled couple needs one-time assistance with cleaning up some debris around their property.

All clients of Catholic Community Services have been screened for eligibility, and are chosen based on income rather than assets, which allows the organization to serve seniors who have been able to stay in their own homes, some of whom are on fixed incomes.

Once the participant is accepted, an assessor visits the home to make sure it is safe for volunteers, and then tries to find volunteer help as soon as possible. But unfortunately, according to the organization, people in need have outnumbered volunteers lately.

However, thanks to a new relationship with the city of Sultan, Catholic Community Services hopes to increase its ability to find local good Samaritans, an organizer said.

To help, contact Webb at (425) 374-6323.