Sisters residents aid elderly and homebound

Larry Dudley and two of his friends are setting up a "reach-out" plan to help Sisters area elderly, physically incapacitated, or homebound.

"Our purpose is to reach out to let those members of our community know that someone cares about them," Dudley said. "Sometimes, they need an extra hand. It might be for repair of a faulty light switch, a leaky faucet, a sticky garage door. Or, it might be the need of someone to talk to or, maybe, just someone to share a smile with."

Though Dudley's plan is for year-round assistance with types of repair work for which he and his friends are qualified, the emphasis during the Christmas season is outside lighting, Christmas tree lights and decorations, and snow removal from porches and walkways.

"We'd be grateful for donations of outside lights, Christmas tree lights and decorations that are still in good condition, but are no longer being used," Dudley said.

The group is also looking for men, women, and teen-age volunteers willing to help with their effort.

"There would be no charge for our help," Dudley said. "The only cost for those we help would be for necessary repair parts."

Only part of Dudley's plan is his sincere effort to help the elderly and housebound of the Sisters area. Part of it is his desire to repay Sisters retired teacher, Nellie Zook, for all she has meant to him for almost 40 years.

"I was only four years old when Nellie became a foster parent for my older brother, my younger sister, and me," Dudley said. "She was our mother for two years until our father could take care of us again.

"Over the years, I've visited her when I was in this area. Otherwise, I've kept in close contact with her by telephone." Dudley said. "To me, she has always been my mother."

When Dudley learned that Nellie had suffered another stroke, he left his wife and three stepchildren in LaGrande and returned to Sisters to care for Nellie for as long as she needs him.

"One of my step-daughters is a member of the Elgin Rodeo court, something she has dreamed of for years," Dudley said. "My wife and I decided that it would be wrong to deny her this honor by moving our family to Sisters."

Two weeks ago, well aware that it would be many months before his family could join him, Dudley arrived in Sisters to take over Nellie's care.

"Her friends have been wonderful about helping Nellie," Dudley said, "but many of them have obligations of their own. Now, I can cook most of her meals, take care of her immediate needs, and I'll be here for her during the night."

Dudley's plan began to evolve after an elderly neighbor of Nellie's finally got delivery of a load of wood to her home.

"The man just dumped the load and drove away," Dudley said. "While I was stacking the wood for her, I began to wonder how many elderly people need help with things they can no longer handle."

Dudley feels very strongly about what he refers to as "payback time" - in part, payback to Nellie, but, on Nellie's behalf, payback to the members of the community for all they have done for her.

With Larry's friends, Doug and Rick employed and Larry looking for employment, it is necessary for each man to have a telephone and message recorder.

"We're still putting the plan together," Larry said, "but one of us expects to be near the telephone most of the time. If the one taking calls happens to be away from his phone for a short time, he'll answer requests on the recorder as quickly as possible."

Larry and his friends hope to develop a list of volunteers on whom they can call, if necessary. Also, if the need arises, they would welcome the part-time assistance of volunteers who can take and relay calls that come in.

For further information, call Larry at 549-2711, Doug at 549-4837 (both after 5 p.m.); or Rick at 549-4042 during the day.