UCSB students volunteer at Friendship Manor’s Ice Cream Social

Several UC Santa Barbara students volunteered at Friendship Manor’s Ice Cream Social on  Nov. 7, where senior residents lined up to be served a sweet treat. 

Friendship Manor is a local retirement community in Isla Vista that frequently hosts events for their senior residents and volunteers to participate at. The Ice Cream Social, which is one of many offered activities, occurs on the first Saturday of every month and is coordinated by the UCSB Associated Students Community Affairs Board. 

Activities Director Chris Rendessy helps organize the activities that Friendship Manor hosts. A resident of 26 years, Imke Bomer, says Rendessy is “instrumental” in making these events happen. 

“We have a lot of fun here. And Chris, he’s very good at this kind of thing,” Bomer said.

Part of what makes these events special to the residents of Friendship Manor are the students who volunteer their time to spend with the senior community. Bomer’s longtime friend, Susanne Pestel, said the volunteers “[enliven] all these people here.” 

Those who live at Friendship Manor value the volunteers and find the time they spend together important. Another resident, who requested to remain anonymous, shared their thoughts on why it’s beneficial for young people to engage with the seniors in their community. 

“These people have stories to tell, and besides the textbook, you need to hear someone’s story,” they said. 

Though residents say that the environment is still lively and many students still volunteer at Friendship Manor, some have noted a slight decrease in volunteer participation and activities. One resident, who also requested to be kept anonymous, mentioned that Friendship Manor will be moving locations within the next two to three years, potentially contributing to the minor decline in their events. 

“You see, we’re currently in a transitional phase, and activities have lessened,” they said.

Despite this, students are committed to assisting Friendship Manor. Adaysia Hernandez, a first-year communications major and student volunteer, commented on the positive impact of the students’ engagement with the residents. 

“This event really helped us bond with the senior citizens in our community,” Hernandez said. 

A version of this article appeared on p. 5 of the Nov. 12 print edition of the Daily Nexus.