Hostesses make trips fun - Wisconsin Rapids Tribune

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Hostesses make trips fun - Wisconsin Rapids Tribune Apr 3rd 2012, 08:57 Imagine a volunteer opportunity where you get to travel and help people. Such an opportunity exists at the Lowell Center and their Senior Trip Hostess program. According to Karen Anderson, program assistant at the Lowell Center, it offers a one-day trip each month (except in January and September) and one extended trip each year. Day trips include travel to the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, the LuCille Tack Center in Spencer, the Royal Ridges in Ripon, the Fanny Hill dinner theater in Eau Claire and the Clauson Family music and barn theater in Coloma, just to name a few. They also plan trips on boat cruises, Christmas shows, Milwaukee festivals, Spooner train rides and trips to Wisconsin Dells, Green Bay and Appleton. The extended trips have included destinations such as Door County, Branson, Mo., Niagara Falls and Toronto. In May, a trip is departing for Mackinac Island. "We typically send 44 participants and a hostess," Anderson said. "If we fill those seats and I can get more seats in the same vicinity at the venue, we'll add another 10 and upgrade to a bigger bus." But it is not all fun and games for the hostess. "Anyone who travels with us must be 50 years of age or older," Anderson said. "Most are in their 70s and 80s. The hostess' responsibilities include assisting people who have special needs, such as those with dementia or who have walkers and wheelchairs; keeping track of everyone; dividing out the tickets and seats at the venues; helping folks get to their seats at the show and dinner; working with the venue; providing the travelers with timelines; coordinating a game of bingo on the bus if there is time; handing out Lowell Center materials such as newsletters, etc.; advising the travelers what upcoming trips still have openings; assisting with problems that may arise, such as medical emergencies, complaints, questions, etc.; meeting with me afterwards to discuss the positives and negatives; and giving me valuable input and suggestions for future trips." (Page 2 of 2) Pat Marth and Carol Hanneman, volunteer hostesses, agree it's not just fun and games. "I don't sit," Hanneman said. "I like to get up on the bus and talk to everybody to make sure they are having a good time." "The biggest challenge is making sure the trip is pleasing and enjoyable for everybody," Marth said. But both women also agree that it's for a good cause. "It gives me a lot of satisfaction to know people get to go on these trips... otherwise, without this program they wouldn't be able to," Marth said. "A lot of the people can't drive or have a hard time walking. Plus the trips are very affordable." Hanneman said, "The people are nice and appreciate going because many can't without the program." Hanneman has been volunteering as a hostess for five years and has volunteered for the Lowell Center for seven years. Marth started volunteering at the Lowell Center by participating in the Silver Belles and Beaus, an old-time choir that performs throughout the community at places like Edgewater Haven. Marth also has been taking people on trips since the 1990s. Both volunteers contribute 200 to 300 volunteer hours to the Lowell Center annually. Hanneman said, "I enjoy traveling. I like the people and a chance to see the good shows. It helps to know they are having a good time too. I also help out by researching and passing along trip ideas to Karen. I look for things we haven't been to before. I like being a hostess because it keeps you active and involved ... so you're not sitting at home brooding." Marth recalls some fun memories from one of her tips. "In Branson, the stars from one of the shows came onto the bus to meet us," she said. She also talked about why she likes volunteering to be a hostess. "I think it keeps you young. It gives you a good outlook in life. I also enjoy meeting all the new people ... and there are a lot of new people." Anderson appreciates having the women as volunteers. "They do a wonderful job and I always feel comfortable and confident that Lowell Center trip participants are in good hands during their travels," Anderson said. "There's nothing these ladies haven't seen or handled, and they do it all with poise and while treating each traveler with dignity and respect. I'm so grateful and appreciative to have such wonderful hostesses." This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers. Five Filters recommends: Donate to Wikileaks.

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