Rick Bruno, 69, and Ann Bruno, 70, of Rancho Murieta, have been volunteering with the Mental Health Association's Senior Peer Counselors program, primarily donating their time to looking in on a senior woman in Orangevale.
Prior to retirement, Rick Bruno worked as hairstylist and Ann Bruno was a homemaker in the Bay Area. After relocating to Sacramento, they approached the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which referred them to Senior Peer Counselors.
The Brunos are stepping away from their duties with Senior Peer Counselors due to Mr. Bruno's health concerns, but hope to volunteer again soon in another capacity.
What are your primary duties when visiting your Senior Peer Counselors client?
Ann Bruno: "We basically visit with her. Then we shop with her for her food and her other needs or take her to the doctor."
When did you start volunteering with Senior Peer Counselors?
Ann Bruno: "We moved here from the Bay Area, where we worked with RSVP. At that time, we worked with children, helping them to read. We moved here, got involved with RSVP and they gave us a book of places where we might do volunteer work, and this sounded like something we'd like to do. And with Donna [Reynolds, Senior Peer Counselors director], how can you say no?"
Rick Bruno: "I wanted to contribute something, because I felt pretty lucky myself. I saw my mother have problems in a home and so forth, and I wanted to help in situations like that. This seemed to be the way."
What have you enjoyed the most about your volunteering experience?
Rick Bruno: "I think we saw [the woman in Orangevale] progress out of her shell and into a better situation. Not just totally everything, but a lot of advancement and ability to function a lot better. It's just rewarding to know that you helped in some way."
Ann Bruno: "It works both ways. She gained our friendship and just the experience of sharing our life with somebody else and seeing her [has been rewarding]. ... We're not there to cure her, because she has a lot of anxiety, but she has had some moments of joy that I don't think she would have without us."
What will you miss about no longer volunteering with Senior Peer Counselors?
Ann Bruno: "We'll miss the wonderful people here, beginning with Donna. When we looked at the different volunteer programs, RSVP told us that we'd really want to work here because this was the best group of people and they give the best parties!"
Rick Bruno: "I'm going to miss it very much, because I just feel that I want to contribute something. So it's kind of cut off. But I had a heart attack and a couple of other little problems, so I have to cut down a little bit. I'm going to miss it not only for the companionship, but just being able to do it. And Donna throws the best parties we've been to, absolutely!"
To learn more about volunteering opportunities with Senior Peer Counselors, call the Mental Health Association at (916) 855-5444 or e-mail friendlyfaces@ mhasc.org.
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