NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017 - 28

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LCMS MEMBER
NEWS & EVENTS
A Call to Service
hen time is our most valued commodity, community service is a tough
sell. But, in giving yourself to others, virtue is found. Regardless of intent,
service to others rewards individuals and our community. In the words of
Saint Francis of Assisi, "For it is in giving that we receive."
The National Junior Honor Society requires their members to fulfill 20 hours of
community service. It's an annual goal NJHS chapters nationwide challenge their
members "to make an impact, not just for himself or herself, but for the community
and the world." When Giovanni Ramos, a seventh grade student from St. Paul's
School in Scranton, brainstormed projects to fulfill that challenge, he found work
and fun can peacefully co-exist.
With the skilled help of his grandmother, Giovanni made dozens of lavender-scented hand warmers for his intended recipients, hospice patients. On a
day facilitated by Carol Burti, Volunteer Coordinator of Aseracare Hospice, and
AseraCare executive director, Chrissy Jacoby, RN, MSN, Giovanni met grateful
patients at Carbondale Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and in their homes in
Lackawanna County.
Giovanni greeted them with a small gift that he hoped would not only warm
hands during cold nights, but also remind them that they are never alone in their
journey. Pauline Solomon, a resident at the nursing home, thanked Giovanni with
a surprise kiss and equally surprising tale of her time pretending to be a boy while
she toiled the coal mines in her youth.
Ms. Burti called it "a work of mercy." Ms. Burti's own mother, 102-year-old Sue,
received her pair of hand warmers while Giovanni played the piano in the parlor of
her family's Old Forge home. He listened intently as Mrs. Burti shared stories of days
gone by and memories captured in black-and-white photographs hung on the wall.
Giovanni realized that his community service was not a one-way act, but rather
an exchange. Giovanni shared his gift with patients but these recipients shared
even more with him through warm smiles, heartfelt thanks and life stories. In a
moment that mattered, Giovanni received a lifelong gift in his experience and
discovered the virtue of community service.
GIOVANNI RAMOS IS THE SON OF GIOVANNI RAMOS, M.D., AND CYNTHIA OLESKI, M.D.,

who practice internal medicine at COR Medicine in Dickson City.

N E PA

VITAL SIGNS

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017