As a state-appointed Ombudsman, rep Victor Matoush volunteers regularly to help residents at senior living facilities as well as a national crisis text line. He recalls one resident, “… I called Marilyn, one of the residents at my facility, and made her day by chatting with her for an hour… She had called me last week, thought the facility was poisoning them, then quickly said that was just a ruse and she just wanted someone to talk to.”
“The feeling I had driving back home from Santa Cruz from helping a bunch of strangers with no expectation of anything in return…
Victor Matoush
I wish I could bottle it up and sell it.”
For CharityRx Founder’s Day, he volunteered his time for Shared Adventures for their Day on the Beach event in Santa Cruz, California: “The day that changed my life… we built a 300-foot long walkway with pallets and plyboard so the disabled folks could roll onto the beach. I spent the day taking individuals for a spin on the water in a kayak, one was a paraplegic, kinda scary. The feeling I had driving back home from Santa Cruz from helping a bunch of strangers with no expectation of anything in return… I wish I could bottle it up and sell it.”
From the Shared Adventures website:
Day on the Beach is the highlight of each year, when more than 300 people with special needs, 400+ family members and friends, and over 250 enthusiastic volunteers team up to share a full day of adaptive sports – kayaking, outrigger canoeing, SCUBA diving, beach wheelchair rides – and life-changing memories. Day on the Beach has given participants and volunteers an unforgettable experience of breaking through barriers to see dreams become reality. Our generous volunteers lay down over 170 pieces of plywood on frames, creating a unique 5,700 square foot platform on the sand that enables those with mobility issues to travel over it with ease to participate in all of our activities. We also offer beach wheelchair rides – an opportunity to explore the beach in a whole new way. Every year, we offer free live music and entertainment, free food, sandcastle building, and so much more. Participants of all ages – from four to 83 so far – have traveled from all around the country to attend. We hope you’ll take advantage of this special event, and to see you at the beach!
