March 30, 2015 (Mt. Airy, NC) ─ Twelve Oaks residents and staff get by with a little help from volunteers. Whether they are individuals within the community and family members of residents to church congregations and youth groups, the DePaul Senior Living Community is taking the opportunity of National Volunteer Week April 12-18 to recognize and thank the individuals who spread so much joy in their daily lives!

The Joyful Heirs, including singers Larry and Marie Parker, Norma Hawks, David Busick and pianist Velma White (pictured above) and Mary Golding and Kelly Mitchell (not pictured), have been bringing their spiritual music to Twelve Oaks every Thursdays for over eight years.

While the Joyful Heirs fill residents’ ears with beautiful music, Lula Clement and Brenda Tate (also pictured above) provide homemade food every Thursday.

“The Lord led us to do this and I feel we get more blessings out of it than the residents,” said Tate, who has been volunteering at Twelve Oaks for 18 years.

Monie Creasy, pictured top left with residents Iva Scott and Etta Collins, has been sharing her beautiful singing with Twelve Oaks once a month for three years. In addition, a group of area singers from four area churches have been performing at Twelve Oaks since the community opened.

Pictured right, the group includes Jay and Mary Tilley, Joye Holder, Louise Jones, Joan and Clyde Horwath, and Wade and Nancy Thompson Mary and Jay Tilley, Wade and Nancy Thompson, Clyde and Joan Horwath and Louise Jones.

“We do this to show God’s love to everyone as well as our own,” said Holder. “The residents here are a blessing to us.”

Several other churches also volunteering at Twelve Oaks, providing church services to residents on Sundays including Ronald Jones of Fellowship Baptist Church, Roger Hill of Welcome Baptist Church, Brim’s Grove Church, North Side Baptist Church, Shining Light Baptist Church and Clay Honeycutt of the Church Of God and helper Jerry Edwards visit Twelve Oaks once a month to enjoy fellowship with residents. Clay Honeycutt is pictured below with residents Bill Jolley and Wanda Smith.

“Our area church volunteers provide an important service for our residents because it gives them a sense of being at church which many of them can no longer leave the community to attend,” said Memory Care Activities Director Samantha Stanley.

In addition, Twelve Oaks thanks the Haymore’s for providing bible study every Wednesday, as well as the Castevens brothers, Ken Horton and Bruce Jessup, the Orange Family, Mike Martin, Billy Martin, Isiah Freeman, Thomas Slate, the Holt Family, Jerry Vernon and Tommy Nichols, all of whom spend time preaching and singing with residents.

Many family members also provide a helping hand, bringing in things for parties and offer to helping pass out snacks said Twelve Oaks Activities Director Samantha Stanley.

“Whether that means going on fishing trips or just lending a hand during game night, our volunteers are an important part of our community at Twelve Oaks,” said Assisted Living Activities Director Anna Burford. “Individuals who donate their time and services help us create a positive, caring and home-like environment. In return, volunteers are given the gift of friendship and appreciation.”

For more information about Twelve Oaks, please contact Administrator Penny Haynes at (336) 786-1130 or visit us on Facebook.