Nishna seeks some ‘buddies’

Can you be a “Buddy?”

It’s a question being asked by Nishna Productions, Inc., which is looking for volunteers to spend time with some of the organization’s residents and clients.

Buddies are volunteers who have a desire to be involved with people served by Nishna Productions (NPI). The organization is looking for individuals, couples and families to interact and make a difference in the lives of someone else.

Brenda Rieken joined NPI as a “buddy specialist” and is working to organize the program. She said there is an opportunity this Saturday to see what it’s about. NPI clients will be having a bowling party at Red Oak Lanes starting at 1 p.m. She invited anyone interested in being a buddy at the event to contact her at 623-1015 or brieken@nishna.org, or to just show up Saturday.

Future plans for buddies could possibly be events such as a birthday club, group activites, or one-on-one time. People could be as involved as they desire or have time. Rieken said just going for a walk or attending a movie would be a way to interact.

“A lot of them have a small circle of friends, and a lot of them are staff,” Rieken said of the clients. “Some of them have family, and some of them don’t.”

Rieken said it would be ideal for clients to have a long-term buddy for support and friendship, but that people who want to help with events and activities are welcome at that commitment level.

People wanting to help at Saturday’s bowling party can bowl – the cost is $5 for the bowling and shoes — or they can just sit, watch and cheer for the clients. 

“They would really enjoy that,” Rieken said.