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Recognition from on high

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Virginia Head spent more than a decade visiting her mother in a residential nursing facility. It was during that time that she recognized how volunteering to serve as an ombudsman could help other people. Now the White House has recognized her efforts to serve in that role.

A member of Missouri Ombudsman Volunteer Program, Head was surprised when she attended a recent training session in Cape Girardeau and was handed a certificate, pin and letter acknowledging her volunteer effort. The letter had a familiar signature on it ... the President of the United States.

The Missouri Ombudsman Volunteer Program coordinates a group of people who give several hours a month to serve the needs of those living in nursing homes and other care facilities. The volunteer workers help residents solve concerns, from dealing with staff to corresponding with governmental agencies.

Head, a resident of Farmington, gives of her time at Ashbrook and St. Joe manors. She puts in two hours a week on average. Working through the statewide program, she is required to keep a log of hours, mileage and the people she assists.

The certificate given to Head read: “Presented by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to Virginia Head in recognition and appreciation of your commitment to strengthening our nation and for making a difference through volunteer service.”

The certificate was accompanied by a letter with a raised gold official seal. The letter concluded with, “Americans of all ages can serve others in countless ways, such as mentoring a child, caring for an elderly neighbor, teaching someone to read, cleaning parks, and creating safer neighborhoods ... May God bless you and may God continue to bless America.”

Head plans to continue doing her part as a volunteer.

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