April 2004
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF AGRICULTURE is a treasure-trove of agricultural equipment and machinery that tells the story of farming on the South Plains. The collection ranges from household items to Moldboard plow and tractors. The museum currently houses 25 restored tractors, 1 threshing machine, 1 broadcast binder, 1 combine, 71 pedal tractors—and if you know what these items are, you might like to consider volunteering your time to tell others how this area grew with the help of these machines. One room of the facility even contains 350 die-cast toy tractors, an example of practically every toy tractor ever made. There are also approximately 300 other artifacts and pieces of smaller equipment on display.
The museum is located at 1501 Canyon Lake Drive, at the southeast entrance to Mackenzie Park and just down the hill from the Wind Power Center. It is only open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and it needs volunteers to be there to welcome guests and guide them through the area. A booklet and hands-on instruction will be provided for volunteers, but the museum is labeled for self-guided tours. Descriptions are found on the information signs in front of each exhibit. You may also develop your own tour, discussing with visitors certain exhibits with which you are familiar if you would like. Should a guest have questions you can’t answer, assistance is just a phone call away. Tourists are encouraged to look around on their own and also walk around the property and check out the outdoor exhibits. The museum has a gift shop from which guests can purchase items of interest. If you were raised on a farm, or would just like to see what farming was like in the past, stop by the American Agricultural Museum and experience the history and heritage of South Plains agriculture.
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
AREA AGENCY ON AGING’S OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM is searching for volunteers to serve as ombudsmen for long-term care center residents and advocate for quality care for them. Ombudsmen represent residents and their families when a complaint or concern arises. Comprehensive training is provided by the AAA with support from the Texas Department on Aging, enabling state-certified volunteers to adequately address the concerns of nursing home residents. Registration is just beginning for summer training sessions. Nursing homes clients need support through regular visits from people like YOU to insure their comfort and care.
LUBBOCK MEALS ON
WHEELS, 2304 34th St., is expanding the program by adding two new routes and therefore increasing the need for more permanent route drivers. If you don’t want to take the position on a regular basis, substitute drivers are also always needed to help out when regular drivers may be ill or out of town. Delivering meals to the homebound may be the most satisfying hour of your week. Just try it!
To volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.
HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or Bonne Phillips about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the
enrollment form
(requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!
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