Behind the scenes with a Retsil Volunteer:
The staff and residents at Washington Veterans Home, Retsil would like to share with you the contributions of one volunteer you might never see around but is doing great things to improve the quality of life for our Veterans.
David M. Giffin, served in the US Coast Guard during Vietnam on the Coast Guard Cutter Androscoggin (WHEC-68). His primary duty was to serve on the helm during the high-lining operations. David started volunteering 4 years ago at the Veterans Home, taking residents to and from church on Sundays. Every time he visited he walked by the fish tank in the lower activity room and noticed that it could definitely use some love. David asked if he could volunteer to take care of the tank because he enjoys doing that. Now he provides hours of entertainment for residents who stop to relax and look at the tank. Every couple of months David changes the structures in the tank, creating a new and interesting environment for residents to look at.
David began enjoying fish tanks when he worked for the Tacoma School District as the chief custodian. There was a 150 gallon tank in the elementary school where he worked with turtles in it. The turtles laid eggs which were moved to a warm spot by the boiler so they would hatch. Every day the students would ask if the eggs hatched and when the time finally came, the tank was changed providing water and a sandy area so the turtles could hatch and go to the water. David says he loves working with fish tanks because the environment is a constant reminder of God’s work.