Unsolicited help arrives at Evergreen

By TY PHILLIPS
tphillips@modbee.com

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This is a story about random acts of kindness involving yarn, lemons and greeting cards. Oh, yes, and 20 ukuleles.

Curious to know what I'm talking about? Let me explain.

Two weeks ago, I wrote a column about Jason Visola, the longtime activity director at the Evergreen Rehabilitation Care Center in Modesto. Visola is an extremely compassionate person who has spent more than 15 years working in a place that many people literally are afraid to visit. Essentially, his job is to help lift the spirits and maintain the sparkle in the lives of the convalescent home's 175 residents. And, using his words, what could possibly be more important than that?

Judging from the response to the story, many readers agree with Visola's focus on the elderly's quality of life. Even though the story contained no request for help or donations, this community answered with plenty of both.

Visola said dozens of cards, letters and phone calls began pouring in the day the story ran and hadn't stopped coming even 10 days later. The sentiments ranged from "Thank you for doing the job I couldn't do" to "Don't listen to what others say about your happiness." My favorite: Referring to a section in the story where someone's comments had Visola questioning his working life's worth, one well-wisher enclosed a business card that contained two words -- I'm important -- and came with instructions for Visola to carry it in his wallet.

A man with a lemon tree (at home) walked into Evergreen and announced he wanted to donate lemons. He left after agreeing to bring several boxes of fruit by the next day. Three people brought in big loads of yarn, which trades like gold in a convalescent home. The list goes on.

Others have come in offering something many hold dear: their time. A few already have started the process of becoming volunteers, and more are in line. In fact, for the first time he can remember, Visola's had to make a schedule to remember meetings with all those who have requested to visit Evergreen for all of the above reasons and more.

"It's a good problem to have, but I'm bombarded right now," he said. "People are coming in and asking me about what this place is. Now they're wanting to know about life here. I didn't get much of that before."

The clincher: Visola got a call Tuesday from a man who heads a ukulele club that meets at the YMCA. Turns out his band of 20 ukuleleists (or is it ukulelians?) wants to come and play for Evergreen residents. This may surprise some, but, through Visola's diligence, Evergreen hosts 17 local musical acts each month. Now it's 18 -- and the ukulele players have asked to play for free.

"I've been telling the residents we're probably going to have 20 ukulele players here," Visola said. "When they hear that, their eyes are popping out of their heads. They're like, 'Wow.' "

Well, I think that's pretty cool. Shouldn't we strive to live in a community that values its elders? Sometimes, this area strikes me as a pretty good place to live (except for the driving). If nothing else, perhaps we can agree to rejoice about one thing. C'mon folks, let 'em hear you in Crows Landing: There will be ukuleles at Evergreen!

Bee staff writer Ty Phillips can be reached at tphillips@modbee.com or 874-5716.