Kindness Inc. celebrates 10th anniversary

[okarol]

Kindness Inc. celebrates 10th anniversary

From submitted reports
Nov. 2, 2007

In November, Kindness Inc. will celebrate its 10th anniversary of service in the Twin Lakes area — 10 years of volunteer opportunities to make a difference in the lives of people who have age-related, chronic and low-vision problems.

According to Kindness Director Margaret Pflug, during the past 10 years, the organization had scheduled approximately 21,000 round-trip rides — mostly to healthcare appointments such as routine exams, outpatient procedures, eye and dental exams, dialysis, radiation treatments, physical and cardiac therapy. Volunteers also took nondriving care receivers to visit loved ones who were in the hospital or in nursing homes.

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Other acts of kindness include assistance with grocery shopping, prescription pickup, trips to hair-care appointments and attorneys' offices. Innumerable minor home repairs were made and several hundred grab bars were installed to prevent falls. Almost 100 wheelchair ramps were built and installed, making it easier and safer for wheelchair-bound care receivers to enter and exit their homes.

Many of the stories of how Kindness Inc. volunteers help may be viewed at www.kindnessinc.com.

Pflug said the organization is working to expand service areas in Baxter and Marion counties. There are many times Kindness cannot handle requests for service because it does not have enough volunteers.

Those who might want to help give the gift of independence to their neighbors should call 425-6475. The next new-volunteer orientation is set for 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 14. Interested people also may register by e-mailing director@kindnessinc.com.

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