By Michelle Kennedy
News-Chronicle
There isn't a lot that can keep Evelyn Vander Perren away from the piano at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Nursing Home in Green Bay.
Even a mandate from her doctor to stop driving because of dizziness isn't enough to stop her from showing up every Thursday morning to play for the residents of the home.
"It's very frustrating now," she said. "Not being able to drive makes it more difficult, but it won't keep me from going."
Vander Perren, 85, has been playing for local nursing homes through RSVP - the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program - at the Volunteer Center of Brown County for the past 25 years.
Although she never took lessons, Vander Perren can read music and plays by memory, she said.
"I'll only play the older stuff," she said. "None of that stuff from nowadays. That stuff just isn't even music."
Vander Perren's volunteering career began after her children grew up and moved to towns outside of Green Bay and her husband died. She now spends much of her time in her garden and practicing for her performances on Thursday mornings.
"She is so dedicated to volunteering," RSVP director Jim Radey said. "She sees it very much as a part of her life."
After several dizzy spells, Vander Perren said her doctor told her to stop driving. This has made it a challenge for her to get to her performances.
"She's really been afraid that she won't be able to get out," Radey said.
But Vander Perren said that no matter how difficult it becomes, she will get to Odd Fellow-Rebekah Nursing Home.
"Well, I have a son who can drive me once in a while, and there are other friends who might be willing to drive me," she said. "I'll get there either way."
Radey said RSVP is a national program that organizations can localize. The local program has more than 300 active volunteers in Brown County.
Most people, Radey said, think volunteering programs are strictly about hospital work or cleaning. But that is far from the case.
"We really try and match people up with activities they are interested in," he said. "Volunteer jobs are very flexible. We have some people who go away for the winter and return to their volunteer positions the following year - or return to take on new ones."
While Radey knows that volunteers like Vander Perren are rare, he said they are an inspiration to those who like to volunteer.
"You can't duplicate the kind of relationships that can be made through volunteering," he said.
As for Vander Perren, she said she can't imagine spending her time any other way.
"I sometimes forget that I am doing it for other people," she said. "Because the people I play for bring me so much joy."
"Givers," a weekly spotlight on the volunteers who make Northeast Wisconsin a special place to live, is a partnership of The Green Bay News-Chronicle and the Volunteer Center of Brown County.
The center has more than 3,000 volunteer opportunities available through more than 150 community agencies. To learn more, call the center at 429-9445 or 1-800-865-8683 (1-800-865-VOLUNTEER).
The following is a list of some of the volunteer opportunities at local residential facilities for senior citizens.
— Bingo helpers. Grancare is in great need of volunteers to assist with bingo on Tuesday and/or Wednesday afternoons. To find out more, call Nancy Krause at 494-4525.
— Shoppers. Odd Fellows Rebekah Home is looking for volunteers to pick up lists of items needed by a few residents who are unable to get out to a store and do not have family to shop for them. Volunteers will be provided with the funds to pay for items. Contact Lena Leurquin at 437-6523.
— Care for All Ages. Assistance is needed with daily or nightly activities, including games, walking, reading, bingo and cards. Care for All Ages has locations in De Pere, West Green Bay and Howard. Contact Beckie Rottier at 432-8284.
— Prize donations. McCormick Memorial Home is requesting donations of items to be used for game prizes, such as jewelry, perfumes, snacks, decorative items, etc. Call Kim LaCrosse at 437-0883.
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