Community Service Lives at Cushing

It’s been said that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.

That can certainly be said for Cushing staff and supporters, but it rings true for Cushing participants as well. Their generous hearts often extend beyond the Cushing community and into the community at large.

Many of the participants in Cushing’s South Shore Industries (SSI) adult day program regularly volunteer at a variety of nonprofits in the area.

Working with staff members Bob MacKinnon and Susan Giusti, a group of SSI participants signed up to volunteer with Serve Home over the summer, helping to scrape and paint a Holbrook woman’s house and shed. The organization is dedicated to helping neighbors in need through volunteer home repairs and community projects.

Since early June, participants have also been going to Gifts to Give in Acushnet every other week to clean clothes, books, and toys to be given to families in need or sold at the organization’s thrift store. Other groups volunteer to help operate three Meals on Wheels routes each week — two in Weymouth and one in Hanover. On-site at Cushing, participants have also been assembling packages for homeless families, which are donated to Arlington Street Church in Boston.

Some individuals have found specific interests and pursued them. Kim Hamilton has been volunteering at the Standish Humane Society for several years. More recently, Emma Sage and Cory Milton started volunteering at the Scituate Animal Shelter, where they socialize with the animals and fold and put away laundry.

“We usually start in the cat section, and this is where Cory really shines. She is confident and calm, and the cats seem to be drawn to her,” said Dave Babcock, Cushing’s community integrations coordinator, who accompanies them.

Caleb Montolio volunteers weekly at Arts and Rec in Hanover, an organization that uses art-based therapeutic recreation and visual arts to help individuals with special needs meet their health and well-being goals. Montolio is primarily responsible for shredding documents.

“We love having Caleb help with shredding,” said Arts and Rec Director Julie Quill. “He is doing a great job. We have a lot of papers to get through, so having him help is wonderful. He is patient and follows directions well. We want to thank him for helping us out.”

“He loves shredding and interacting with the individuals,” said SSI job coach Peggie McGlone. She added that the organization has a lunch social on Tuesdays, when Montolio volunteers, and other SSI participants have had the opportunity to attend.

“You can bring your lunch and socialize with individuals from other organizations,” said McGlone. “Each week they do something different — art, games, or drums. They have been so generous with us and have allowed us to bring six individuals each week.”