It was an evening of music, good food and inspiring words. Each MapleCreek volunteer was given a gift of a living bamboo shoot. A delicious dinner was served, after which MapleCreek Executive Director Sue Lemon thanked the MapleCreek volunteers for their gifts of time and talent. She called her message “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” after the Randy Newman song in the animated feature film “Toy Story.”
Sue defined what a friend is: someone you know and trust, someone with whom you are allied in a struggle or cause, someone who gives assistance – a patron or supporter. She said, “Our friends are volunteers, family members, donors, clergy, congregations, educational leaders, legislators, business owners, neighbors, interns and students, and others.”
A new definition of a “friend” has to do with social media and the idea of networking with others online. MapleCreek is making friends on its website at www.maplecreek.org, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/MapleCreek/165162218849, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#MapleCreekLSSM.
“From now on,” Sue announced, “this volunteer appreciation banquet will be known as the “Friends of MapleCreek Annual Dinner.” She issued a challenge for those at the dinner to bring a “new friend of MapleCreek” to the annual dinner next year – and to become a friend of MapleCreek on the Internet.
Concluding Sue’s part of the program, everyone used a lyrics sheet to sing along to the song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” -- played from the Internet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcXURC_nNhc).
Volunteers were recognized for their service at MapleCreek, including Florence “Flo” Bouwman who has given her time to the senior living community for 16 years. The Volunteers of the Year are a married couple who are very involved, Curtis and Elizabeth Druckrey, residents of The Cottages at MapleCreek. Among the many things they do for the residents, Curtis is a volunteer driver who takes them to appointments, and Elizabeth leads the prayer shawl knitting and crocheting group. Sharon Munson, Volunteer Coordinator for MapleCreek gave some closing remarks, and Rev. Rebecca Ebb-Speese, MapleCreek chaplain, provided the parting blessing.
You’ve Got a Friend in Me
Lyrics by Randy Newman
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and can see it through
Cause you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
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