WHAT MAGIC WAS THIS?

I spend a great deal of my time doing various things for the AHRC Suffolk chapter, some people might even call it my second home. To give you an idea of what I do, there is the Guardianship committee that I co-chair, where we discuss the well being of people that have no one to advocate for them but the agency. We guide staff into making decisions that will make people’s lives better. We oversee the staff and approve or not, what they would like to do.

There is the Membership/volunteer committee which I chair, that develops game plans for recruiting new members, and volunteers, while rewarding the present members and volunteers. I am currently working on a program from the ground up to recruit strictly for volunteers.

I do program evaluations, going to different programs and evaluating them, making sure they meet board standards.

I do residential evaluations, once again, like program evaluations, the same things occur.

I work on the strategic planning committee, looking at short and long term goals of the program directors.

I’m on the Budget and Finance/Executive committee, being a past president of the board of directors.

I do the monthly calendar, and anything else including signing checks over $7,500, as a counter sign to staff. I design and create mailings, and work on the board of directors. I also am a member of the NYSARC Board of Governors, and travel up to Albany. I even play Santa Clause!

All of that is well and good, but last night I had the privilege of seeing the results of some of my work! It is magic, if we let staff handle it. Last night our program participants gave us a fashion show! Ladies that I see almost everyday, who struggle to walk, talk and even see and do, stood up and walked along a runway, modeling the latest fashions for a wildly cheering audience!

It wasn’t enough for them to just model, behind a walker or not, they gave it their own personal touches. Flips of hemlines, twists with a wiggle, a shoulder dip, and broad smile and a wave, giggling uncontrollably. Each gal gave her own touch: she was a star for the moment! The spotlight shinning on her, and her alone, the applauding and recognition of her being there, on that stage by maybe 400 or more people!

The escorts were not to be outdone. Each gentleman, trading in a T-shirt and jeans, for a suit and tie, and yes, even a tuxedo! All proud of themselves, all eager to hand out the programs and books being distributed. Escorting the ladies to the runway, they helped each one up the steps and sent her on her way, them, as she began to step down, he would reach for her arm and gently guide her down.

God ran that show! God gave them a whole lot of love, not that they needed it. God saw to it that they knew we all love them.

When I get tired of the grind, when there are nights I’d rather be at home than in a board room, I will think of those beautiful faces, and how they strode down their own memory lane, soaking in the sunshine of love! Then I will think, Yes: it is all worth the while.