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Independence, MO —
Folding silverware into a napkin over and over again might seem like a mundane, boring task to most people.
Lexie Schelp, however, counts the volunteerism task at the Palmer Center among the things that keeps her active and young at heart. The 89-year-old is among the volunteers at the Independence Parks and Recreation facility who donated 1,266 hours in March.
“She’s excellent, excellent help, and she’s a sweet lady – I call her my ‘miracle lady,’” said Winnie Townsend, the Palmer Center’s nutrition side aide and Schelp’s supervisor. “She’s had a lot of health issues, but she just keeps going. I told her (Thursday) that I want to be just like her when I grow up.”
How did you become interested in volunteering at the Palmer Center?
I’ve been volunteering since another lady who was helping on a certain, specific job had to have surgery. She said she wouldn’t be back until she was fully recuperated, so I said, “Well, I’ll take it over until you get back.” At my age and with my arthritic problems of my hands, this consisted of wrapping the silverware for our meals that we have each day. I found out that it was so helpful for my hands that when she returned, I just wanted to continue doing it. And then, of course, there are times when some other volunteers can’t come in, and I was put to use in other areas of volunteering that they have. I must have wrapped silverware now for six years – this just filled a need for me. ... It takes so many volunteers to keep this place functioning at its highest level.
How often do you come here?
I come five days a week, weather-permitting. I come when the door opens because I also am heavy about exercising, and they have a wonderful place up in the gym where you can walk, so I do that. Then, I come down and wrap the silverware and do what I can to help wherever.
You don’t look like you are approaching 90 years old. How old do you feel inside?
Age is just a number to me. I will have to add to that, that when I was a teacher, the person I (carpooled) with was a nut about exercising. I mean, she just drilled into me that I needed to get started – I mean, my word, I was in my 60s then. So, I finally just shut her up and started. I got started, and I just got hooked on it. I felt better, I could walk better, I could move my limbs better. I just feel like it keeps me going and keeps me mobile. Of course, I could get on the bandstand and be flaunting that around, but a lot of people don’t want to hear it (laughs).
Folding silverware into a napkin over and over again might seem like a mundane, boring task to most people.
Lexie Schelp, however, counts the volunteerism task at the Palmer Center among the things that keeps her active and young at heart. The 89-year-old is among the volunteers at the Independence Parks and Recreation facility who donated 1,266 hours in March.
“She’s excellent, excellent help, and she’s a sweet lady – I call her my ‘miracle lady,’” said Winnie Townsend, the Palmer Center’s nutrition side aide and Schelp’s supervisor. “She’s had a lot of health issues, but she just keeps going. I told her (Thursday) that I want to be just like her when I grow up.”
How did you become interested in volunteering at the Palmer Center?
I’ve been volunteering since another lady who was helping on a certain, specific job had to have surgery. She said she wouldn’t be back until she was fully recuperated, so I said, “Well, I’ll take it over until you get back.” At my age and with my arthritic problems of my hands, this consisted of wrapping the silverware for our meals that we have each day. I found out that it was so helpful for my hands that when she returned, I just wanted to continue doing it. And then, of course, there are times when some other volunteers can’t come in, and I was put to use in other areas of volunteering that they have. I must have wrapped silverware now for six years – this just filled a need for me. ... It takes so many volunteers to keep this place functioning at its highest level.
How often do you come here?
I come five days a week, weather-permitting. I come when the door opens because I also am heavy about exercising, and they have a wonderful place up in the gym where you can walk, so I do that. Then, I come down and wrap the silverware and do what I can to help wherever.
You don’t look like you are approaching 90 years old. How old do you feel inside?
Age is just a number to me. I will have to add to that, that when I was a teacher, the person I (carpooled) with was a nut about exercising. I mean, she just drilled into me that I needed to get started – I mean, my word, I was in my 60s then. So, I finally just shut her up and started. I got started, and I just got hooked on it. I felt better, I could walk better, I could move my limbs better. I just feel like it keeps me going and keeps me mobile. Of course, I could get on the bandstand and be flaunting that around, but a lot of people don’t want to hear it (laughs).
Why do you think volunteering is important, and what do you get from volunteering?
I think it’s a way to keep yourself stimulated. We have here people from all walks of life. We have veterans come in here, people who have worked at the motor manufacturing places – just interesting people. Not only that, they keep you abreast of current events going on. We’re always having something to communicate to each other. It just fills a void that I have. It’s a wonderful place to come because we have such wonderful directors who have activities that we can participate in. I mean, anything that you’re interested in, you’ll find here.
What do you think is the secret to staying healthy and living a long life?
Oh my – you’re the keeper of your body. I think what you eat is what you are. We’re so fortunate to have this nutrition program. It’s so well-balanced. Here, when you consider we have a lot of diabetics and a lot of people with heart conditions, our nutritionist covers what we should have and shouldn’t have.
