Nearly half a century of giving
Jeremy Ratliff
Editor
On Wednesday, August 19, Pine Crest Nursing Home announced Larry and Gorgette Sampo of Merrill, have been named 2020 Volunteers of the Year Award recipients.
As PCNH Life Enrichment Supervisor Brianna VandenHeuvel explains, the couple’s 17-year commitment to volunteering at the facility, in addition to their consistent devotion to residents, proved a key factor in their well-deserved accolades.
“Larry and Gorgette started volunteering in January 2003,” she explains.
“Since the very beginning, they have really put their hearts into everything they do at Pine Crest. They will spend hours sitting down to talk with residents one-one. They keep them posted on what’s going on in the world, mutual people they know, and ask the residents how they are and truly listen. They both have a wonderful sense of humor and you can always hear them laughing with the residents! Larry often wears funny shirts! For example, he has a shirt that says something like “I’m not small, I’m fun sized. They get a smile out of some of the most serious people here,” she adds.
When asked about the recognition for their service, during an interview with the Merrill Foto News on Monday, Aug.31, Gorgette cracks a broad smile.
“We were so surprised and grateful when we found out about the award! But, we never expected any sort of recognition, it’s just something we have always enjoyed; spending time with the residents and staff at Pine Crest. It doesn’t seem like it’s been 17 years.”
As the couple further explains, their commitment to volunteer service in the Merrill community and abroad, stems much further than that at Pine Crest Nursing Home.
Nearly 50 years to be exact.
“I think it all started back in the late 70’s, when our boys were young,” Larry adds.
“I volunteered as an assistant cub scout master. As time went on, the more opportunities we found to get involved in the community, the more events we got involved in. Being active in the community has always been very important to us.”
From cub and boy scout activities to traveling to the King Veterans Home near Waupaca, to assisting with various events such as mini-golf; the Sampo’s resume of volunteerism is lengthy, to say the least.
“Helping out whenever we can has always been very important to us,” Larry adds.
As for the roots of their dedicated service to the residents of Pine Crest Nursing Home, Gorgette recollects one particular day, while serving as a beautician at the facility.
“A co-worker and I were talking one day about how she helped out at Tuesday Bingo. She was saying how busy it would get some nights, so I asked if I could help. I started helping out on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, then Larry joined me a few weeks later. We have been helping out over there ever since!” she adds with a laugh.
Since that day, the Sampos have become a fixture at most any event hosted at Pine Crest. From hand crafting birthday and Christmas cards to assisting with Oktoberfest celebrations, birthday parties, Christmas parties and ice cream socials.
“I’m retired from the postal service, so delivering mail and the Merrill Foto News to residents every week was always a lot of fun,” Larry said. “I would wear goofy t-shirts and joke around with the residents, just to make them smile. I think that is the most rewarding part for me…anything I can do to make them smile or laugh.”
“Sometimes we spend more time visiting and joking, than getting the mail and Foto News delivered!” Gorgette jokes.