January: Brittney brings some Cheer!
Brittany Flannigan, the Chapter President of one of GG's newer chapters from Olentangy High School in Delaware, Ohio, wrote this amazing journal article on GGChapters.org (GG's online forum) about her FIRST makeover this December!:We slipped on our Santa hats as we entered the Worthington Christian Village. With our Glamour Gals tote in hand, my sister and I met with five other Glamour Gals members, a national organization that brings the younger generation together with the older generation, and our club advisor. Being a new club at our school, this would be our first makeover. Once a month, we visit our senior living center and give several of the ladies makeovers. Often times, elderly women become depressed because they feel that they no longer look as good as they used to. That is what we are for; to help restore confidence in the women and make them feel pretty and fresh again!
At first, some women were slightly hesitant because they weren't familiar with Glamour Gals, but once we started talking to them and explained what we were about to do, they quickly became very comfortable. Peggy didn't know exactly what to expect. I did not want to frighten her, so I stopped rubbing the cleanser over her face and waited. We got her a glass of water to calm her, then I was able to continue. While I was putting on the make up, I asked her a few questions about her family, but she could not remember much about them. It broke my heart that a recent stroke did not allow her to remember how many children she had. In the middle of our talk, she took my hand and asked me to stay with her. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I fought to hold them back. If she saw me crying, we would both be a mess. I felt so guilty because I knew we would have to leave eventually, but I reassured her that we would be back very soon to see her again.
She told me that she wasn't sure if she was going to live or going to die. She was in a very poor mental state, I felt so bad for her. As I put the lipstick on her lips, I told her that she looked so pretty. She protested. Surprisingly she had little self-confidence. It is for women like Peggy that the Glamour Gals foundation was started. I couldn't wait to show her the final product. At the end of the makeover, I let Peggy look at herself. We all told her how beautiful she looked, and she smiled. It felt wonderful to see her smile. I could tell that she felt pretty. As did the five other women who thanked us, looking smashing for the next activity on the agenda, Bingo!
While I prefer working with children, this was an opportunity I was not about to let pass me by. Spending time with these women, gave me a whole new perspective about elderly people. I'm not sure if I laughed more while I was there or when I baby-sit. After watching some of the Bingo drama before we left, I was able to see that they are still spunky. They want to live their life to the fullest, and most like the children I babysit, they are scared.
For one hour I was able to help Peggy's fear. This is why I volunteer. Not for the thank you 's, but to make a real impact. It's that feeling when no matter, what you can't stop smiling! If I were given this opportunity to volunteer my time for one hour, I would definitely do it again, and I wouldn't change a thing!
Help volunteers like Brittany continue to serve seniors like Peggy by helping GG win Pepsi Refresh! Join today at www.refresheverything.com <http://www.refresheverything.com> to start voting MONDAY, 2/1!
Photographed: Brittany (above) with her sister, Bethany (above), her chapter's co-president, and Peggy getting her makeover.