Helping others makes the world a better place

Every summer during June and July, SJM Junior Sequra Pena spends her weekends spreading happiness at Pacific Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She loves making the residents smile, especially the ones that don’t have many visitors.

Sequra has been volunteering at the Center since 8th grade. “I get there at 8:00 in the morning and leave at 5:00,” she said. “I really enjoy the time I spend there and it goes by fast!”

From helping with patient activities to painting nails, Sequra loves everything about volunteering.  “I help residents play games and get around the facility. I blow up balloons during exercise sessions, and pass out snacks at movie time,” said Sequra.  “I spend most days going into rooms and just talking to the patients and keeping them company. But what I really love doing is walking around the facility passing out mail and visiting the patients who have birds!” 

Helping others and making them smile are Sequra’s passion. “My favorite thing is when I go to the Center and everyone says ‘Hi’ to me because they remember me. I love being able to make them smile, and I also learn a lot of new things about people, their culture, and the world,” she said. “Helping others makes the world a better place; it shows that there are still some people in this world that care about others.”