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For the past year, Sarah Weatherby has been given a very important job at Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Lewes - she is in charge of making residents smile. Since she started as a junior volunteer in the facility last June, residents have found that her caring heart and cheerful disposition always seem to brighten up their day.
Although Weatherby is only 10 years old, the fourth-grade Long Neck Elementary School student has become a valuable asset to Harbor Healthcare. Residents look forward to the weekends when she volunteers, accompanied by her mother, Beth Weatherby, a nurse who works for the center.
“Sarah is very outgoing and always willing to jump in and make friends with everyone,” said her mother. “She is happy to help out…she can’t wait to come and volunteer on weekends.”
Weatherby explained that her daughter became interested in lending a hand upon visiting her mother at work on a busy day. Since the youth enjoyed her first day of fun-filled activities with residents she has returned to the facility every other week.
In just 10 months, the young student has accumulated more than 200 volunteer hours. Her duties include delivering mail, posting bulletins, setting up afternoon activities and assisting in the preparation of snacks for residents. Weatherby also enjoys reading to patients, telling jokes and just helping people have a good time, she says.
“I like being with patients the most,” said Weatherby. “I’m making a lot of friends here.”
Marie Dove, a resident at Harbor Healthcare, is particularly fond of the time the volunteer shares with her. “Sarah always comes to visit me with a big smile on her face,” said Dove. “We enjoy each other’s company; she has helped me get through some rough times.”
Last February, Weatherby’s service was officially recognized by the faculty of Long Neck Elementary School who awarded her with a Kind Acts certificate. She was excited to receive the award and humbly mentions that she just wants to make people happy. Besides volunteer work at Harbor Healthcare, Weatherby enjoys school and being a member of Girl Scout Troop 881. In February, she volunteered at American Legion Post 28, writing valentine letters filled with candy to soldiers in Iraq.
Weatherby hopes to continue volunteering at Harbor Healthcare in the future and hopes to one day become a nurse like her mother.
“I’m so proud of Sarah,” said her mother. “She is a very good little helper and she brings joy to a lot of people.”
Tom Walsh can be contacted at tomwalsh1@verizon.net
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