Anita Blatnik, 18, Waterford, has been recognized by the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Programas one of more than 2,200 young volunteers nationwide who have made a positive impact in their communities through volunteerism.
She was nominated, and selected, for the Kohls award for her years of volunteerism at Waterford Senior Living.
Volunteering her time with the local seniors is something Blatnik says she loves to do and something that in turn has helped her develop and grow as a person.
Blatnik remembers that her attention to people who are easily ignored started back in grade school, when she felt bullied at school.
In seventh grade, Blatnik said, she realized that too many people were being selfish and focused just on worldly things that really don’t matter at all.
“People matter,” Blatnik said.
So, she started out to make a small difference at the senior living center, thinking she could add her friendship into the lives of residents who live there.
But it grew into something even more meaningful.
Through her years of volunteer work, Blatnik challenged herself to develop the patience and problem-solving skills needed to help residents with memory loss regain a thought or capture a memory that had proved to be elusive.
Helping these friends to overcome some of the anxiety that results from their memory confusion has been a great reward to receive, Blatnik said.
She suggested that other students can start making a difference in their community by simply sharing a smile with a stranger, or being a listener for someone who needs to talk.
Sometimes the smallest act of kindness, or lack thereof, can be the biggest life changer, she said. “Put all judgment aside, stop caring about how others might judge you, and just be ready to help,” Blatnik suggested.
But be sure to keep the focus off yourself and on the people you are volunteering with, Blatnik cautioned, because people should not volunteer in order to feel better about themselves.
“Volunteering is about making life better for at least one person.”
Seniors love the sunshine she brings
Editor’s note: The following essay by Cindy Lotzer, activity director of Waterford Senior Living, resulted in Anita Blatnik being named a youth volunteer in the 2012 Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program.
Anita Blatnik has been volunteering at Waterford Senior Living for four years. It started as “something to do” over summer vacation. She was our first volunteer and really defined the roll of a volunteer here. She does everything from bowling to bingo, crafts to parties. We plan as many of our parties for days she is off of school so she can be here to help.
In spring we have a baseball tailgate party. Anita shows up to help with the food and fun. She comes with her Milwaukee Brewers sausage racer costume. All the residents then have their picture taken with her. How fun to show the picture to your kids and grandkids. She does all the planning for a New Year’s Eve party every year an gets other high schoolers involved. They have games, a champagne toast and a ball drop at midnight. She also plans a snow ball each February. This is a dance with music, trivia and about 1,500 snowflakes that are hung from the ceiling. Again, she gets the high schoolers involved. They come to socialize, dance and laugh with our residents.
Anita comes every year to help with the Senior Olympics. This is a huge event involving residents from facilities in three counties. Last year there were more than 200 athletes at this day long event. Anita makes sure that everyone gets to all their events and has a good time. She makes sure everyone is safe and happy. She also is our official photographer. Last year she captured each resident competing in every event.
She has the patience to sit with resident when they are having a bad day and calm them. Some of our more advanced dementia residents can get very upset about something they just can’t express. Anita will come and sit with them, giving them individual attention, help them with a calming activity or just let them talk and she will listen. After a while they are calm, relaxed and can face the day again.
Anita has also brought in so many high schoolers to assist with her activities. She has made it fun for everyone. Because of this, many of them have become regular volunteers. They help with bingo, painting fingernails, making smoothies and helping with decorations. She has helped bridge the gap between the young and older population.
One of the most appreciated and unique activities that Anita does as a volunteer is to create an individualized photo album that is given to each resident at Christmas. Throughout the year she or myself takes pictures of each resident during events and activities to create these beautiful photo albums which she then puts together. Each color picture is labeled as to when and what the event is. Last year she made more than 50 albums. She then wraps and puts each one at the residents’ place in the dining room as a special surprise for Christmas morning. These are so appreciated by the residents and their families. They are a wonderful keepsake for each resident.
Over the last four years, Anita has given us 670 hours of her time. She put in more than 100 hours in just the last year. For her efforts, Anita was awarded the 2010 WI Volunteer of the Year Award for WRAP (Wisconsin Representatives of Activity Professionals) at an awards ceremony in Stevens Point. She was selected from many volunteers across the state.
We all marvel at how this young girl has blossomed. She volunteers for so many other worthwhile causes, and maintains an A average. Whether she is playing a game, pouring coffee, in costume, or working behind the scenes, she is calm, organized and poised and does it all with a smile on her face. Even on gloomy days, we know we can count on seeing the sunshine when Anita shows up. She is a truly wonderful asset to everyone she comes in contact with.
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