Greenwich's town-owned nursing home is looking for neighbors willing to spend 90 minutes a week helping seniors play Bingo, walk to the hair salon, or simply sit with a cat on their lap.

Mary Tate, who has served as Volunteer Coordinator at Nathaniel Witherell for nine years, told Greenwich Free Press that the facility's volunteer corps is largely made up of high school students. She wants more community members of all ages to sign up.

"Pet therapy is special because there is memory recall where residents will say, 'Oh, I had a cat once,' or 'I had a dog,' and you'll see how it evokes fond memories. It is a really sweet moment," Tate told Greenwich Free Press in a July 24 article.

What volunteers do

Volunteers at the 202-bed facility on Parsonage Road help residents get to activities in the auditorium, escort them to physical therapy, the gift shop, and chapel services, and sit beside them during card games, concerts, and seasonal parties. The most popular weekly slot is Wednesday Bingo at 2 p.m. Volunteers arrive 30 minutes early to wheel residents from their rooms, stay through the game, and return them afterward.

Pet owners can also bring vaccinated dogs or cats for therapy visits. A weekly "Cat Club" pairs feline-loving residents with volunteers' cats.

Who can volunteer

Anyone 15 or older is eligible. The onboarding process includes an interview, paperwork, a building tour, a review of emergency procedures, and hands-on training tailored to the volunteer's role.

Tate said watching teenagers engage with seniors who include former Greenwich firefighters and teachers is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

A Greenwich institution since 1903

Nathaniel Witherell, at 70 Parsonage Road, has been owned and operated by the Town of Greenwich since 1903. The 24-acre campus underwent a $27.7 million renovation between 2013 and 2016 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves residents in short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, and memory care.

How to sign up

Prospective volunteers can contact Mary Tate at 203-618-4228 or [email protected]. The facility is at 70 Parsonage Road, Greenwich, CT 06830.