FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS

A local group of volunteers in River Bend has established an organization to provide assistance to residents who may need temporary (6-8 weeks) help and do not have a local caregiver.

Working as “Good Samaritans”, the volunteers will provide the following types of assistance:

J        Take someone shopping or do limited shopping for a recipient

J        Take someone to a doctor or other type of appointment

J        Take someone to church (in some cases)

J        Walk a dog or take care of a cat

J        Sit with a family member (does not include baby sitting for children) to give a

            caregiver some “time off”

J        Read to, or write a letter for, an incapacitated neighbor

J        Cook a meal

J        Provide other services if acceptable to the volunteer

There is no charge to the recipient for these services and you do not have to be a member of Friends Helping Friends to request assistance.

Residents using such volunteer services will be required to sign a waiver absolving the volunteer of any injuries, death or other losses occurring during the rendering of volunteer services.

Excluding taking a resident to a doctor or possibly a medical building, volunteers will not provide any type of medical assistance.  Such needs should be directed to the RHEM Emergency Services.

Volunteers will only provide service to River Bend residents with travel within River Bend and to New Bern (city limits), Trent Woods and Pollocksville.

Normal services will be rendered Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM and animal care is also available on weekends and holidays.  Residents seeking assistance should call 48 hours in advance where possible.

Resident may seek assistance by calling one of the following volunteers:

Bill or Bev Healy         637-7005

Craig Hille                  633-3772

Barbara Ward            638-4352

Phil Seymour              634-2882

  If you would care to become a volunteer and help your neighbors, please call Bill or Bev Healy at 637-7005.

5/15/07