DIANE MAKAR MURPHY Young volunteer cheers residents of nursing home

One day, two years ago, 11-year-old Becky Bloom and her cousin were "walking around looking for something to do." You might think that's a lead-in for a story that will end in mischief, but you would be wrong.
The two girls took their search to Youngstown Baptist Church and asked if they might help out in some way. That simple request led Becky to the door of Meridian Arms Living Center where nearly 100 seniors reside.
It also began Becky's two-year love affair with volunteering; for ever since, she has been a smiling face at Meridian.
"We're just very proud of Becky," said Marilyn Cosier, Meridian's activities director. "She was a little girl when she came here. We kind of went out on a limb letting her volunteer. But there was some kind of attraction there. She needed some place to be, and we needed her."
Now Becky, at 13, is taller than Cosier, and most of the residents of Meridian Arms. Her long, dark brown hair is pulled back in a smooth pony tail.
Bingo
Living within walking distance of the center, Becky volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays, helping out during bingo. "I help residents find their numbers, or pass out the winnings. Sometimes I help a whole table," she said. Cosier explained that residents who have vision or other problems requiring help are often all placed at one table.
"And on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I come in if they need help," Becky said.
During the school year, the Austintown Middle School pupil comes in late afternoons. Summer months see her volunteering increase. "She helps us with outings in the summer, like concerts," Cosier said.
Becky's grandfather had been at Meridian Arms before she began volunteering, but he recovered enough to go home. (Becky's grandfather died just this year. "He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with a 21-gun salute," she said proudly.) So, before beginning her volunteer career, she knew of the atmosphere and caring the center had to offer.
"The first time I came in, I did ice cream cart," Becky said of the task that requires distributing ice cream dishes and cones. (According to Cosier, some families intentionally visit on Ice Cream Saturdays.) "It was fun and I liked visiting the residents," Becky said. "It puts smiles on their faces."
She has stayed through the seasons for that reason. "I like to cheer up the residents. A smile makes ME happy. If someone is in a bad mood, I try to cheer them up," she said.
Becky lives at home with her dad, two brothers, a sister (who works at Meridian Arms), a nephew, two dogs, a cat and a hamster, which recently escaped and is hiding "somewhere around the house." She has developed a bit of a second family at Meridian Arms as well.
Mentor
"One of the nurse's aides, Paula Humphries, has taken Becky under her wing," Cosier said.
"She's my best friend," Becky agreed. "I was nervous when I started, and she told me I'd be fine. Now, she takes me out, and we go shopping. Since I don't have a mother, she is like my mother."
Becky has other friends at the quiet little center tucked back in the trees off South Meridian in Youngstown. "I'm friends with all the residents," she said, naming two that have really stolen her heart: Kathleen Geer and Betty Clement. "But I really like all of them."
That makes it tough at times, with the reality of an assisted living/nursing home. Sometimes Becky sees residents hooked up with "all the tubes" and it is a reminder of her grandfather's last days. Also, the possibility of a friend dying is very real for Becky -- a feeling that's very unusual for the typical sixth grader. "It's hard to deal with, but I try," she said.
In fact, she is thinking about becoming an activity director herself some day, she said.
Cosier smiled. "We try to be a good influence on Becky. We explain things to her as she volunteers," she said, her red Christmas T-shirt reflecting roses into her cheeks. "She is one of our superfine volunteers."
How lucky, for everyone, that boring day two years ago, Becky Bloom found "something to do."
murphy@vindy.com