A VOLUNTEER FOR THE AGES.Byline: - Eric ERIC Educational Research Information Clearinghouse ERIC Educational Resources Information Center ERIC ERISA Industry Committee ERIC Epidemiologic Research and Information Center (Durham, NC) Wolfe Tony Bellasalma, 78, has made volunteering his full-time full-time adj. Employed for or involving a standard number of hours of working time: a full-time administrative assistant. full job. Each week, he and two other helpers drive to the homes of about 40 seniors to drop off brown-bag brown-bag tr.v. brown-bagged, brown-bag·ging, brown-bags 1. To take (lunch) to work, typically in a brown paper bag. 2. lunches for the Food Share program in Oxnard Oxnard (ŏk`snärd), city (1990 pop. 142,216), Ventura co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast; inc. 1903. Its economy, formerly based on agriculture, mining, and nearby military bases, has expanded as the city has grown. . He also distributes meals to seniors on behalf of the Area Agency on Aging in Ventura County, where he serves on the board and has twice been voted chairman. The leadership role is nothing new to Bellasalma. Since 1995, he has been the senior club president at the Moorpark Senior Center. But his true joy comes from helping others. He also installs units for Lifeline life·line n. 1. a. An anchored line thrown as a support to someone falling or drowning. b. A line shot to a ship in distress. c. A line used to raise and lower deep-sea divers. 2. , a program that provides seniors with an emergency link to Simi Valley Hospital Simi Valley Hospital (SVH) is a Seventh-day Adventist hospital located located in Simi Valley, California. SVH is a member of Adventist Health. New Construction Simi Valley Hospital is in the process of building a new wing to the hospital. . And once a week, Bellasalma helps set up and calls Bingo games. ``I like helping, no matter where,'' he says. ``I like to get involved wherever help is needed, as far as my daily living is concerned.'' He enjoys ``things that keep me active, keep my mind fresh, and get my exercise - besides bowling, golf and fishing. I don't like watching television, like most seniors like to do. I like to get out of the house and keep active. It's the only way to stay young. Before retirement, Bellasalma spent 37 years working for the Jersey Central Power and Light Co. There he did volunteer work through the union to help minorities at work. ``There weren't too many volunteers, and I just stuck with it,'' he says. Bellasalma and his wife, Marie, moved to Moorpark from New Jersey in 1988. The couple celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary last October. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Tony Bellasalma of Moorpark helps deliver food to senior citizens every week - one of his many volunteer jobs. |
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