After church, we would stop at Fiesta and pick up bananas, oranges, apples, peppermints, and a package of brown paper bags. Then we'd go home, and for the next hour, the six of us would sit around the table in our small kitchen and package treat bags - 1 banana, 1 apple or orange, and 2 pieces of candy in each bag, then fold down the top of the bag, then set all the bags in a plastic crate. Then it was time to load up the bags and head to the convalescent home.
As kids, my three sisters and I called it the "old folks home," and my dad would admonish us every time. We would put smiles on our faces, visit the residents, hand out bag of treats, sing church songs (my oldest sister had to play the songs on their piano), and pray. And that was that - my first experience with volunteering. At least 2-3 Sundays out of every month, for many many years of my childhood.
