MONROE - A mother's desire to teach her son to volunteer is bringing joy to residents of Monroe Manor.
Molly Jasper and her son Elliot Seefeldt, 7, moved to Monroe last March. To help them get adjusted to the community, Jasper decided they should volunteer. And the closest place was Monroe Manor.
"The two of us together just walked over there one Tuesday," Jasper said.
Jasper and Seefeldt met the Manor's activities staff and have been going back ever since.
Each Tuesday after school, Jasper and Seefeldt push the magazine cart through the halls, which takes about an hour. They then stop to talk with residents.
Jasper and Seefeldt spend the last hour of their visits reading out loud to residents. Harry Potter stories have been the most popular.
Corrine Steitz, assistant activities director at the Manor, said Seefeldt brightens residents' Tuesdays.
"Considering his age, he didn't shy away, and blended right in," she said.
Steitz said Jasper seems to enjoy the visits as much as her son.
"When she first called, she said she thought it was important for Elliot to learn to volunteer, particularly for the elderly. She wanted him to learn to respect and deal with older people," Steitz said.
So Elliot helps each week load the cart with magazines, books and puzzles.
"Elliot particularly likes Cat Fancy," Steitz laughed. "I don't know why. He must like cats. Those are the first ones on the cart."
Steitz said Seefeldt is "a hyper bubble of a boy" and a "live wire" who has a really good time with the residents each week.
Jasper, who works in medical imaging at Monroe Clinic Hospital, moved from Eau Claire. She and Seefeldt have relatives in Madison. She said she thinks Monroe is a great place to raise her son.
"It just seems like that kind of place where it's good for children," she said.
Jasper now volunteers Tuesday mornings at her son's school, and when the weather permits, they walk dogs at the Humane Society.
Molly Jasper and her son Elliot Seefeldt, 7, moved to Monroe last March. To help them get adjusted to the community, Jasper decided they should volunteer. And the closest place was Monroe Manor.
"The two of us together just walked over there one Tuesday," Jasper said.
Jasper and Seefeldt met the Manor's activities staff and have been going back ever since.
Each Tuesday after school, Jasper and Seefeldt push the magazine cart through the halls, which takes about an hour. They then stop to talk with residents.
Jasper and Seefeldt spend the last hour of their visits reading out loud to residents. Harry Potter stories have been the most popular.
Corrine Steitz, assistant activities director at the Manor, said Seefeldt brightens residents' Tuesdays.
"Considering his age, he didn't shy away, and blended right in," she said.
Steitz said Jasper seems to enjoy the visits as much as her son.
"When she first called, she said she thought it was important for Elliot to learn to volunteer, particularly for the elderly. She wanted him to learn to respect and deal with older people," Steitz said.
So Elliot helps each week load the cart with magazines, books and puzzles.
"Elliot particularly likes Cat Fancy," Steitz laughed. "I don't know why. He must like cats. Those are the first ones on the cart."
Steitz said Seefeldt is "a hyper bubble of a boy" and a "live wire" who has a really good time with the residents each week.
Jasper, who works in medical imaging at Monroe Clinic Hospital, moved from Eau Claire. She and Seefeldt have relatives in Madison. She said she thinks Monroe is a great place to raise her son.
"It just seems like that kind of place where it's good for children," she said.
Jasper now volunteers Tuesday mornings at her son's school, and when the weather permits, they walk dogs at the Humane Society.