Atlanta Daily World

Seek Friends For Shut-Ins

The Fulton County Department of Public Welfare sent out a distress call last week for some 300 volunteer social workers to help brighten the lives of shut-ins and pensioners who are cut-off from the outside world.

The launching of the new project was announced by Charles McPherson, of the DPW. Mr. McPherson said: "The old and the blind who can't get about, the sick and disabled who are shut in, are lonely. They have lost many personal relationships, and, alone, have no way of establishing new ones. The Volunteer Visitor will in no way take the place of the professional worker, but will supplement her services, which are legally limited."

"Volunteer Visitors call regularly on lonely people who look forward to their visits," said Mr. McPherson, adding: they "do little friendly things for people who can't get about and do for themselves. Volunteer Visitors read to people with failing sight. They write notes for people with trembling hands; they bring newspapers, magazines and books for those who see well enough to read."

Continuing his estimate of what a Volunteer Visitor is, he said: "They take the blind for a walk, the halt for a drive, they escort a shy old person to a Golden Age Club Meeting. They send birthday and holiday cards to people who have no relatives and no friends. Volunteer Visitors bring new interests to dreary lives. Volunteer Visitors are the salt of the earth-they share themselves."

If you would like to become a Volunteer Visitor, call MUrray 8-3215.