You can't buy a smile like the one sported by Joanne Platt in the accompanying photo but you can have one absolutely free of charge if you are willing to give a bit of your time as a volunteer at the St Andrews Gregory Wing. Joanne doesn't do anything out of the ordinary as a volunteer. In fact, it is mostly ordinary and simple acts of kindness that bring joy to the residents of Gregory Wing and that infectious smile to Joanne's face. Things like one to one visits with individual residents or the occasional gift of flowers as a "pick me up" for someone feeling low.

The Gregory Wing is in desperate need of volunteers who are willing to do one to one visits with residents. Volunteers can even choose to "adopt" one resident with whom they might visit once or twice a week to talk, listen, play a game, read to or offer music opportunities.

The Music and Memory Program (http://www.boothbayregister.com/article/music-memory-auxiliary-brunch/67557) is going strong but help is always needed. Research shows that individually chosen music offered to residents at least a few times each day can be very pleasing and beneficial and volunteers who can assist with the collection and downloading of music to iPods would help grow the program so that all residents would have access to this valued therapy.

Pet Therapy is also a positive way to open doors of communication with those whose lives are physically or otherwise limited. Consider sharing your pet with others by seeking certification as a pet therapy team - you would be a welcome addition to the ongoing activities program at the Village.

In fact, there are a lot of activities at the Village and Jerie Phinney, director of activities, is even seeking a volunteer who can donate 45 minutes on the last day of each month to help put up new calendars listing forthcoming events.

Now that the new Zimmerli Skilled Care unit is open, the Gregory Wing beds are being filled with longterm care residents. This affords the opportunity, once again, to develop a sense of friendship and community among the residents who find themselves in care for more extended periods of time than skilled rehab.

"It is lovely to see residents recognizing each other, helping each other and caring about each other," said Phinney.

Recently the Village held a "block party" outside under a tent with the Wild Horse Band and a cookout. It was attended by residents/patients from all of the units and helped to bring people together as a neighborhood. Programming such as the above is important for people in all levels of care and is greatly enhanced by the assistance of volunteers.

So if you want to put a smile on your own face that only the gratitude of another can generate, contact Jerie Phinney at the Gregory Wing (207-633-0920) or Steven Hurd, volunteer coordinator for LincolnHealth, at steven.hurd@lchcare.org. The St. Andrews Auxiliary can also answer questions you might have about volunteering so check in with the cashier at the St. Andrews Thrift Store for a contact name and number.