Love in Stoneybrook

By Lincoln         June 7th, 2016

Before I went to the Stoneybrook Lodge, I checked some information online and learned that Stoneybrook Lodge is a company in the business of providing comfort, value and security to seniors. The pictures on their website show that the environment around the Lodge is very good. I hope those people who live there enjoy their lives. I prepared some questions about their living experience and some interesting stories they would like to share with us. I know seniors like sharing their experience and stories with young people, teaching us some theories from their past. To be honest, I wanted to ask some questions about the reasons why they choose to live in a senior apartment. In my opinion, living with their children or their families would be better than living alone in a senior apartment.

Taking place on May 17th, the Stoneybrook volunteering experience was really warmhearted. We met at the parking lot and Dr. Cate drove us to the Stoneybrook Lodge. The environment was the same as shown in the picture; there is a fountain and several parterres. After we walked into the lobby, several seniors were waiting for us and welcoming us.  We were divided into three groups, and Marine and I were in the same group. Three seniors sat with us and shared their experience with us. One of the seniors named Tom asked Marine if she knew a doctor who lives in Thailand who is his friend’s son and who wrote a letter to him. Marine helped Tom to check online and make sure his friend’s son is still working in Thailand. That helped Tom to fulfill his wish.

Then we shared our experiences living in Corvallis and our lives in China and Thailand. Three seniors surprised me, that they all had been to China. They travelled to Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Guilin. Tom still feels the Li River and the Karst features are amazing natural landscapes. Some of the seniors have the problems of hearing, so I needed to be louder to make sure they could get my ideas. The manager of Stoneybrook told me some seniors have health problems such as Alzheimers, so we should be more patient in order to take care of them.

After our conversation, I feel that even though these seniors have some health problems, their hair became silver, and they have hearing problems, they are still positive and confident. They delivered much positive energy to us. Thanks to them and thanks for this good opportunity.

Sunshine and Perspiration @ SAGE

By Lincoln  April 5, 2016

Today’s volunteering experience was wonderful!

sage

We visited the SAGE and helped gardeners to do some farming. After greeting each other, we started our volunteering. At first, we were divided into two groups, then we picked the farming tools, such as pitchforks and rakes, unfolded the cardboard on the ground and fanned out mulch on the cardboard. Then we dug up the roots of weeds to remove the weeds and planted money trees. The manager told us that the money trees also can help the weeds not to come back. It is a really environmentally friendly way to weed. After the farming work, the manager gave us a brief tour of the SAGE garden. We visited the children’s garden, which is fascinating and meaningful. Carrie also showed us a canopy which like a small greenhouse, planting some fruits and vegetables.

SAGE green house

Time flew when we were having fun. One time volunteering for the SAGE is not enough. I hope I will have more opportunities to help them. Even though we did not do much farming work, I realized the concept of volunteering for this local community; that to do it is sincerely and sustainably. One thing that impacted me was the manager’s daughter. Obviously, she is more familiar with farming work than me. She was helping her mother to guide the garden even she is only a kid. And I also could see the spirit of helping others from her.

The SAGE farming work helped me to feel the value of volunteering. This is just the beginning!

SAGE's Sunshine

 

More information about Corvallis SAGE garden, please check

Corvallis Environmental Center