LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – As we get ready for the Christmas holiday to spend time with friends and family, we also have to remember not everyone is up for the holiday cheer.
Many seniors are without close family and it can often leave them feeling lonely.
FOX5 learned of a program that helps seniors combat loneliness by matching volunteers to spend time with them.
This is part of the Senior Companion Program run by JFSA, also known as Jewish Family Service Agency.
Though it is Jewish faith oriented, they help people from all different faiths.
FOX5 met with 86-year-old Charles Lobe at his home where his volunteer Jacqueline Davis was also present for her weekly visit.
The duo showed us how they spend quality time together in the kitchen baking.
On the menu was blueberry muffins.
“He has a very well equipped kitchen, he has all the gadgets,” Davis said.
When Davis asked Lobe if he wanted to put vanilla extract into the muffins, he thought she was asking him if he wanted to put vinegar.
Davis, joked and said it was because of her ‘English accent.”
Accent or not the two enjoy spending time together in the kitchen.
“It’s very fulfilling to be a volunteer to help others less fortunate than myself and it keeps me on my toes,” Davis said.
“She is my connection to the outside because I am stuck inside the house I don’t drive,” Lobe said.
As the muffins went into the oven, we went down memory lane with Lobe.
He recalled when growing up, gas was 27 cents a gallon and cokes were 5 cents each.
Besides the prices being memorable, Lobe tells FOX5 he came from a big family.
Lobe showed us a few things he kept, such as his dad’s WW2 ID card, his dad’s shoe from when he was a baby.
“He taught me everything I know,” Lobe said.
Lobe also remembered Christmas time growing up.
“We always had a live tree those days,” Lobe said.
Though, the little tree on his mantle is a lot different now, what hasn’t changed is Lobe finding the positive in what he has with Davis.
“I like to see her, and I can talk and she is somewhat of my age and we can communicate better,” Lobe said.
“Some of my clients aren’t so fortunate to have family around so yes, I do put myself in their shoes and respect that there might be some loneliness,” Davis said.
Volunteers like Davis also get a small stipend for their time.
If you would like to sign up to be a client or a volunteer you can click here.
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