Wilsonville Spokesman Online

A Lesson In Giving

Leona Reimer couldn't ignore the need to share some Christmas love and attention

• By: Josh Kulla  
• Published: 12/24/2009 1:08:55 PM

Photo By: Josh KullaVolunteering
Wilsonville resident Leona Reimer volunteers at Marquis Care Wilsonville, among other local organizations. This year she filled stockings for residents of the assisted living facility.

Leona Reimer walks up to three miles daily.

And several times each week her route takes the spry, 70-something grandmother through the front doors of the Marquis Care Wilsonville assisted living facility near the home she shares with her husband. She’s been doing this for over three years, making friends and lending a helping hand to Marquis residents where she can.

“It’s my forte, and it’s something I like doing,” said Reimer. “I came in here and I saw the people and such. It sounds weird, but I didn’t know anything about them. But if I was ever in a place like this, this is what I’d like it to be like.”

Last Friday, she turned up once again. Only this time she was bearing gifts, part of her annual effort to provide a special Christmas holiday for people with minimal family contact or support.

It’s been a work in progress. Reimer also has had to find the time to collect gifts in between volunteer stints at the Wilsonville Public Library, Wilsonville Senior Center and the Community of Hope Lutheran Church, where’s she’s attended services for over 16 years.

“I had never been in one before,” she said, gesturing around her. “And I wondered where their families are, if they’re too far away, and maybe can’t see them? It’s somebody’s mother and somebody’s father, that’s what turned my attention.”

The first year, Reimer provided decorations for Marquis Care’s Christmas tree, getting help along the way from her friends at Community of Hope, which is well known throughout Wilsonville for its work on behalf of those in need.

The following year, she decided to take advantage of earlier Marquis Care volunteers who knitted Christmas stockings for residents. So she gathered up donated personal goods such as lotion, soap and shampoo and filled stockings for as many residents as she could.

Marquis Care Wilsonville director Angelica Williams said the residents under her care directly benefit from this and other extras provided by locals who volunteer their time and resources to help out.

“These stockings were made by volunteers back when we opened,” Williams said, running her hand along one of the colorful garments, adorned like the rest with the name of a resident. “It’s really nice. It gives people a chance to connect with a part of their past with a Christmas stocking. Christmas is really only possible here with our volunteers.”

Even then, Reimer stands out from the rest. And that’s saying something, considering the array of services provided by volunteers, including church services, recreation and games, even visits from working therapy dogs.

“I’ll get a call from Leona and she’ll be in Arizona telling me about something she found for the stockings,” Williams said. “It’s a year-round project for her.”

Reimer smiled and agreed.

“I love people, see, and it’s been wonderful for to do this,” she said. “I think giving is the main thing about Christmas. That’s what I do. I’m a volunteer person.”

Unsurprisingly, she’s already preparing for next year.

“I think I’ll continue doing this as long as I can,” she said. “There’s no work in it. I can work at it all year long.”
 
At A Glance:
Marquis Care Wilsonville residents also work with the Vital Life Foundation, which connects charitable and non-profit organizations with groups that can provide volunteers.

To learn more, browse www.vitallifefoundation.org.
Marquis Care Wilsonville online here.

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