All it takes is a Friendly Phone Call to make someone's day.
In all relationships, there's give and take and for those who are at home alone taking a phone call is just as much fun as it is volunteering to give the call.
Rod Mulligan is the only original volunteer for the Friendly Phone Calls program that started at the Prince George Council of Seniors/Seniors Resource Centre in 2008. Mulligan's history goes back to 1990 when the program was with Community Policing and the two programs eventually amalgamated in 2013.
"I think they're providing a really good service, an important service," Mulligan said, who was honoured with a volunteerism award for his friendly phone calling in 2018.
He believes it's important for those who are living independently to have that check in phone call five days a week.
People have always responded well to the program and sometimes it's just about simple things like not having to get dressed for an in-home visitor as people can connect over the phone in a more informal way.
"We discuss anything the person wants to discuss," Mulligan said. "So I just got off the phone and we were talking about impeachment."
Other topics include more personal subjects like personality conflicts.
"I try to help them cope as best as I can," Mulligan said. "It's mostly about coping with their daily problems and how they can resolve them."
Mulligan had a suggestion about the personality conflict.
"Maybe a person has to be a little bit more understanding," Mulligan said.
Words to live by.
Mulligan has always been a dedicated volunteer and spends two other days a week at the information desk at the hospital.
"I think it's important to contribute to the community," Mulligan said about his ongoing volunteerism. "And the best way I know how to do that is to make contact with individuals."
Mulligan said he has met some of the people on his call list and it's always nice to put a face to the name.
Mulligan will continue to volunteer his time for as long as he can.
Lola-Dawn Fennell, general manager at the PGCOS, said if a volunteer friendly phone caller is away and doesn't make that anticipated call there are clients that will call the office to check up on them. That's a nice give and take twist on the program that delights the staff at the Resource Centre.
There are five volunteers that cover the five days a week the program is in place. Some volunteers make morning calls, while others cover off the afternoons. Those five volunteers spend about 30 hours a month making about 220 phone calls and there's always room for more recipients if someone wants to get on the list. Those wishing to get a phone call must be over 55 years old, be isolated, either alone or lonely, have phone access in Prince George and be able to communicate over the phone.
Beth Coates, 97, is one of the many recipients that use the program and she said she really enjoys her talks with Mulligan.
"It's nice to get a phone call and just check in with that person and talk to someone different," Coates said.
It's one of the things that helps keep the brain active.
"I think that's one of the most important things," Coates said. "Do anything you can that keeps your mind working. Anything that keeps you thinking and mentally active is good. I play crib whenever I can and you just do whatever you can to keep your head working and keep going day by day. Some days a phone call makes quite a difference."
Anyone interesting in volunteering for or receiving a Friendly Phone Call can contact the PGCOS office by calling 250-564-5888.
