A Special Friendship
By Jack Authelet, published in the Foxboro Reporter December 24, 2009
Not your typical to do list for a college student home for the holiday break: celebrate with the family, catch up with friends, prepare for a trip to London and Paris and visit with Pauline Brown at Doolittle Home.
Amanda Sosnowski just completed her first semester at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL as a marine science major with a minor in math. She really likes it there and enjoys the academic challenges but misses being close to family and Pauline.
During her junior and senior years at Foxborough High School, Amanda volunteered weekly at Doolittle Home as a friendly visitor for Pauline Brown. Amanda enjoys that she has gotten to know Pauline’s family and likes hearing the updates when they visit. She writes cards and letters for Pauline and brings her books from the library. They enjoy trips to the Trading Post to look for bargains and mostly just enjoy each other’s company. According to Amanda, “this started as a volunteer project but it quickly became an extension of my family. I consider my time with Pauline family time.”
For most high school students, even the most dedicated volunteers would say goodbye once they head off to college, but not Amanda. She continued to call Pauline at least a couple times a month to catch up on Pauline’s activities and her family and to share updates from college. Amanda knew how much Pauline would miss her visits so she encouraged her mom, Donna, to visit with Pauline and to bring her books from the library. Pauline enjoys the visits and feels more connected with Amanda by visiting with her mom.
Through a special scholarship program at college, Amanda leaves right after Christmas for an art history program in London and Paris visiting museums and touring the cities. She will write a thesis paper at the end. She has promised to send Pauline postcards and looks forward to sharing her experiences with Pauline when she returns.
“Who knew when I started volunteering that this would turn out to be such a special relationship in my life? “asked Amanda. Her time with Pauline has enriched her life and extended her family to include this very special lady.
Volunteers play important roles in the lives of residents at Doolittle Home. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact DeAnna Willis at 508-695-2694.