By STEPHANIE FORTH

stephanie.forth@leaderpub.com

Pat Petrek is a Buchanan resident who spends most of her time volunteering at the Buchanan Area Senior Center. She is one of 50 volunteers that help the senior center’s approximate 1,300 participants.

When did you begin volunteering at the senior center?

I started about a year and half ago.

Why did you choose to volunteer there?

After my husband died I needed to get out and feel like I was doing something. Being with other people and socializing is what I wanted to do.

What do you do while at the senior center?

I do things like help out with the cash bingo, help bake things in the kitchen, serve as a greeter at events, and pretty much anything else they need me to help out with. Five days out of the week I exercise with them [residents], and then three days out of the week I participate in formal exercise. For formal exercise, we have instructors come and guide the class. I also play card games three times a week, usually euchre.

What kinds of functions does the senior center offer its residents?

We have a wide variety of organized meetings that happen several times a week. We also do things such as outings, drumming lessons, and line dancing. Instructors are also provided for drumming lessons and line dancing lessons. The goal of these activities is to make the residents feel like they are doing something instead of just being there.

Where do the outings take place and what happens during them?

Once a month we take residents out for a “lunch brunch.” For a lunch brunch, we go to different towns each time to eat lunch.

What are some topics that are discussed at the weekly meetings?

We have people come in and talk about their travels and sometimes they will show a video of where they traveled. Other times it may be about topics such as gardening or cooking. Last week, we had a program that provided information on how to cook for one.

What would you have to say to someone who is thinking about volunteering a senior center?

It is a great way to meet new people and it feels good to know you are contributing to something.

Do you know a volunteer worthy of recognition? Nominate him or her as the Volunteer of the Week by emailing Stephanie Forth at stephanie.forth@leaderpub.com