Jacquelyn Pohl (Portfolio Copy)

 Community Service is a major part of my life. My community has given me so many opportunities I feel service is a way I am able to give back.

I visit a nursing home every week called The Lodge Care Center. I play bingo with the residents, sit and chat with the residents, and help the residents in their rooms. I have bonded with many of the residents and I can call each of them my grandmother without the blink of my eye. Over my summers I go everyday for bingo at 4 followed by dinner at 5:30 followed by free time in the evening. During the school year, I try to go every Monday and Wednesday and even some Sundays. Classes and work take up most of my time but the ladies sure do miss me when I am gone.

I have a "core group" of ladies of which I adore. There is Dorothy who is obsessed with the CIncinnati Reds and Janet who calls me her own grand daughter. Ida believes she is a hair dresser still who relives the 20's each day. Vivian never remembers who I am but she continuously tries and kisses me each day. The last of the group is Nancy. She is the most coherant of the group and leads the bingo when I am not there. She shakes terribly but she always has a smile on her face.

These ladies bring more joy to my life than I could bring to theirs. They tell me their life stories and always tell me there is more to life. I am happy I service my community because my family continuously grows as I make more friends.